Rooney`s Story

Rooney came to us on the 23 June 2006. At first glance he looked like a tired elderly ferret that hadn't had much care, but on closer examination we realised he was only a youngster, probably 10 to 12 months old. The poor chap was in a terrible state, unable to stand properly and extremley thin. He was covered in ticks from head to tail, unable to help himself by scratching any off, because he was too weak. He was found in fields in the middle of nowhere, so we can only presume he was dumped or left behind after a rabbiting session. His coat was matted over his shoulder blades and after parting some of his fur, we realised why he couldn't stand properley. He had terrible infected bite wounds and each wound had ticks in and around it. It was a miracle he was alive.

However he still had an appetite (always a good sign!) and with a long course of antibiotics, daily bathing and cleaning of his wounds and countless tick removing sessions, he gradually started to improve. Through all this, he never wiggled, flinched or bit, he knew we were on his side getting him better. We couldn't bring ourselves to re-home Rooney, from the minute he arrived we felt he'd come home.

Rooney lives with us now, yes in the house and he's as mad as a hatter and just as loving as always. Apart from a thinning of his coat in places, no one would ever know what he'd been through.

Sadly Rooney's story is not an isolated case, there are many ferrets who've had a terrible time of it all up and down the country, so please consider a rescue ferret and give them a place to call home.