Not Disclosed - woman

Stolen & abused ferret returned to owner

Tucson, AZ

August 1, 2006

A year ago, Buddy was near death. He was malnourished, underweight and severely dehydrated, requiring weeks of intensive veterinary care.  He is one of numerous pet ferrets that are mistreated, neglected and abused each year.

Buddy’s original owner was a member of Ferret Friends of Tucson. She suspected a neighbor of stealing her pet.  The person she suspected turned out to be the same one who returned the severely abused animal to her, three months later.  He was returned with his nails painted pink, he had lost half his body weight and a doll skirt with an elastic band was wrapped so tightly around his body it had to be cut off.

Don Heywood, also a member of Ferret Friends, stated it was clear that the ferret was near death.  The ferret had been abused to the point that it did physical damage – tight clothing on it for a long period of time and dehydration.

Exotic animal veterinarian John Vagnetti stated that the ferret was presented to him with lethargy and severe dehydration.  He stayed at the animal hospital for an extended period of time on IV fluid therapy, antibiotics and supportive care.

The $700 vet bill was more than Ferret Friends could afford so Dian Curran, their Treasurer, stepped up and paid the bill and added Buddy to her ferret family, which now numbers eight.

    (Photo courtesy of the Arizona Daily Star)

A year after Buddy’s ordeal, Curran says that though he is not as affectionate or as much a ‘people’ ferret, he is back to his curious self.

Reference:

Arizona Daily