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Terri Cunningham - Sole
Proprietor/owner/operator
Email
Phone 206-651-LDFR or 425-785-1039
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OPEN DURING HOLIDAYS! All Year Long! Christmas! Thanksgiving! Memorial and Labor Day! Emergency drop ins welcome!
Coming soon! What You Get For Your Money
Camp Counselor / The Boarding Contract / Ferret Camp Services / Your Ferret's Health / Ferret Camp FEES / Packing For Ferret Camp / Litter / Vaccinating Your Ferret / Ferret Camp Fotos
If you are planning a vacation, taking a business trip or even just a weekend away, then you know how exhausting the process of finding a safe place for your ferret can be. If you have chosen to share your life with a fuzzy, then most likely you are not a "mainstream" pet owner and are just as unique as your ferret. However, ferrets have a tendency to get themselves into alot more trouble (usually) and just when you think you have ferret "proofed" your home, you find there is no such thing. As a 25+ year ferret owner myself, I understand this dilemma and I'm here to help you in your quest for an experienced ferret sitter.
Veterinary clinics, boarding facilities and even ferret rescues each have their own set of disadvantages. While it's impossible to keep an environment completely safe from airborne viruses or other infections such as earmites, I believe I have at least reduced the exposure.
I even went the extra mile to make it easier for you to find the right sitter for your fuzzy. If you are someone connected to the ferret community, you may know about or even subscribe to Ferret News (written by ferret expert and co-owner/author of Modern Ferret no longer in publication) or Ferrets Magazine, both well known respected sources of ferret information. Bob Church, a world renowned ferret guru with impressive credentials, presented a great article in Ferrets Magazine for finding the Perfect Ferret Sitter. Another good article in Ferret News is worth reading as well.
Once you are ready to choose your sitter, I invite you to come back and see what Ferret Camp has to offer.
- I am their sole caregiver.
- There is no volunteer or staff rotation.
- Your information does not get passed along to someone else.
- Fewer people involved mean fewer risk of human error.
- I am not overwhelmed, stressed or excessively busy.
- My home is quiet and without distractions.
- My focus is on your fuzzies safety and to insure (s)he is having FUN so they don't miss you (too much).
- Your fuzzy gets comfortable with one person which often eases the transition to a new environment and they feel safe.
- References provided upon request
THE BOARDING CONTRACT back to top
Ferret Camp services include short and long-term boarding in a private home suitable and SAFE for ferrets. You can download the Ferret Boarding Contract to print out and bring with you when you drop off your fuzzies or just review the Terms and Conditions. I strongly encourage you to review the terms of the contract prior to reserving space so that if you have any questions or concerns they can be addressed in advance and eliminate any last minute confusion or issues. Of particular concern will be the changes to long term boarding and vaccination requirements.
FERRET CAMP SERVICES back to top
All fuzzies get daily exercise outside their cage in a large play room dedicated to ferret enrichment which includes toys, tubes, puzzle boxes and more.
They are fed the same food they receive at home and I strive to stay as close to their own routine as possible to minimize their stress.
They are always within sight or hearing so when I am not physically next to them, they can still hear or see me as I go about my daily chores. They are safely behind a clear barrier, not a closed door.
Typically, they get a MINIMUM of 2 hours PERSONAL attention during their playtime which is usually between 4-6 hours every day, sometimes more if he's young and has extra energy to burn. The amount of playtime varies for each ferret which is determined by their own home routine.
If requested, bathing and/or grooming is offered for an extra fee.
They also get to rock out to the boombox if they so desire. The DJ takes requests at no extra charge.
YOUR FERRET'S HEALTH back to top
I have experienced most, if not all the typical ferret illnesses and understand the subtle changes in health and behavior such as depression or weight loss, both of which can usually be managed with supportive care and extra TLC. I am intimately familiar with the more serious illnesses such as adrenal disease, cardiomyapathy and insulinoma. Sometimes a stressed ferret may begin to show symptoms of a disease that was previously latent. If the symptoms are obvious upon meeting your ferret, we can discuss how to proceed if it is not life threatening. If the symptoms appear during the ferrets stay, I will attempt to stabilize the condition if appropriate, otherwise he will be taken to emergency if it becomes necessary. Again, this procedure is tailored to meet each ferret owner's preferences.
I am experienced at administering a wide range of oral or injectable medications if your ferret has a condition that requires daily treatment.
Ferret Campers are weighed on a gram scale when they arrive, their weight is documented and then monitored throughout their stay at Ferret Camp. This ensures they are eating to sustain their weight and haven't succumbed to depression.
Personal Consultations are highly encouraged (but not required) prior to reserving space. Come check out your ferret's surrogate home.
My rates are purposely lower than most, if not all other boarding facilities, veterinary hospitals/clinics, ferret rescues and possibly other private sitters - for 3 very good reasons:
1. RESPITE! You need a break. Ferrets are like little children that never grow up. They are far more complicated than a dog or cat and it's important that they don't become chores, rather than fun.
2. Boarding is expensive. If rates are outside your budget, then you don't get the break you need.
3. We live in a fast paced-cram everything you can into a 24 hour day. Work, home, children - and pets. Being overwhelmed, tired and resentful can get the best of anyone loaded with responsibilities. And sometimes in a moment of weakness, you might even think about lightening the load. My goal is to be available and affordable for anyone who needs a break but can't find an experienced sitter they trust or can't afford one.
Plus - I have an advantage where I am not trying to fund a very expensive rescue.
Effective June 1, 2011, Little Dudes Ferret Camp rates have changed. Regretfully, the economy is affecting the cost of food, treats, pish pads and other supplies for ferret camp to operate at a level you have come to expect and there isn't enough profit to replace or buy new toys, bedding, etc. I have always provided food, litter and treats at no additional charge and would like to continue offering this service. Although the rate increase is limited to a single ferret or the first ferret in a group of 2 or more, it does provide a significant savings for people who own more than 3 ferrets. The new rate structure eliminates the "each additional ferret" charge and converts to a simple flat fee - see below. It's been more than 5 years since I had to raise ferret camp rates and I hope it won't be necessary again for several more years.
OLD RATES through May 31, 2011:
$6.00
a day for one ferret and $3.00 a day
for each additional ferret
NEW RATES effective June 1, 2011
$
8.50/day one ferret
$11.50/day
two ferrets
$14.50/day
three OR MORE
ferrets
$3 flat fee to bathe and/or groom your ferret as many times as needed/requested while he is at ferret camp.
Bathing/grooming is included FREE for long term boarders (30 days or more).
Ferret Camp for seniors, the disabled or those with a degenerative disease (non contagious) are always welcome. Rates are based on the level of care/treatment that is required (e.g. an oral med once or twice a day vs. hand feeding, subq fluids, etc).
PACKING FOR FERRET CAMP back to top
Cage space may be limited depending on the number of ferret campers at any given time, so be prepared to bring your own cage if necessary.
Food is provided in the form of what I consider a high quality, nutritionally complete and balanced kibble mix of:
Innova Evo, Totally Ferret, Zupreem and 8 in 1 ULTIMATE (NOT Ultra-Blend)
Ferrets need to continue their same familiar diet while at Ferret Camp to avoid tummy upsets or anorexia (a common behavior when they rebel against a new food). You only need to bring food if your ferret is eating something different than what I provide here.
TOYS, BEDDING, HAMMY'S. Be sure to bring your fuzzy's favorite thing(s), be it toys or a blanket, hammock, etc. They need to be surrounded by their own personal items. For those of you with older fuzzies, be prepared to provide extra information about their personality, health history, special needs and home routine.
otherwise known as Ferret Camp PISH PADS are what I use in place of litter such as wood or paper pellets. Truly a discovery that has changed my life and added years to my spinal discs. I no longer lift or dump heavy litter, there is no litter dust or tracking, the pads are washable, reusable and the geriatric ferrets especially like them. The downside - younger ferrets will sometimes dig and overturn them if the pads are clean. So just in case, you should bring their own familiar litter as a back up.
VACCINATING YOUR FERRET back to top
I get alot of questions about distemper and rabies vaccinations which can be a sensitive issue because of misunderstandings and lack of knowledge about vaccinating ferrets in general. I put together some quick information that is dated, but it should still help answer some of your questions.
In the meantime, I spent hours researching the latest and greatest vaccine information, verifying resources and separating fact from opinion. I will update it once I get a chance to edit all the new info.
Because of legal issues, consequences and the seriousness of canine distemper, all ferret campers must must must be current on their canine distemper and rabies vaccines. I do make exceptions for ferrets who have experienced an allergic reaction, as long as there is vet verification and a signed waiver. This does not pose a risk to other ferrets who are vaccinated, just your own. You or your vet may fax the required documents to 425-562-2983.
I treasure each and every ferret campster that comes through my door and there is nothing more entertaining than getting a good shot of a ferret in motion. I am finally making progress uploading the majority of my ferret camp visitors to Photobucket so please take a moment to check them out.
PISH PADS!
A unique, cost effective way to litterbox train your ferrets. After the initial purchase you will never buy another bag of pellets ever again! No mess, no scooping, no hauling away used litter, no dump fees, no smell. Best of all, the ferrets love it. No slipping and sliding and no matter how much they pee, it's still dry!
Aside from extraordinary care, each fuzzbutt gets their own cushy, secluded bed
There are even special accommodations for the fuzzies who don't like to sleep alone
All made with love by Creations By Angie, who devotes much of her time making bedding and donating to various shelters nationwide.
And for those who like to stretch out or pile on, these hammy's are made by Julie of The Ferrets Choice where all proceeds help fund her shelter.
