She ferrets out the animals that need her help

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BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Winnipeg ferret rescuer Kelly Yager with Gizmo (left) and Max. (BORIS MINKEVICH)

While cats and dogs rank among the most popular pets, ferrets are the top four-legged friends for Winnipegger Kelly Yager.

The owner of seven ferrets said she fell in love with the small critters in 2001 after spending an afternoon playing with them. Since that time, she's had 16 of them, each of them living an average five to eight years.

In addition to being a ferret owner for the past eight years, Yager has also shown her love for the species as a volunteer with the Manitoba Ferret Association (MFA). The organization runs a no-kill shelter, rescuing orphaned and neglected ferrets, and raises awareness about the animals.

"I've been called ferret-crazy but I don't care -- I like them," said Yager, laughing. "They're playful and very outgoing. They're a lot of fun."

She said it's hard to see ferrets that have been abused and neglected. It is rewarding, however, to rescue them and find loving homes where they receive proper care.

"I've seen abuse in ferrets, I've seen neglect, and it breaks my heart. They're helpless and all they ask is for attention and love," said Yager.

She often scans websites like Kijiji, Used Winnipeg and Craigslist, looking for classified ads posted by people giving up ferrets. She then brings the animals to the association's shelter -- run out of a member's home, while an appropriate home is found. Ferrets surrendered to the Winnipeg Humane Society are also brought to the no-kill shelter.

Yager warns that ferrets do not make an ideal pet for most families, particularly those with young children. She adds that most of the ferrets surrendered to the shelter were impulse buys by families who didn't understand the commitment required to raise the energetic animals. Often, those ferrets become the victims of neglect, left for days in their cages, with very little attention.

"I saw two who were neglected so badly, they had indents in their head because they were pushing so hard trying to get out of the cage," said Yager, explaining that ferrets need a lot of attention to become socialized to humans.

She said that the cost of owning a ferret is also higher than many people realize. The adoption costs of pet-store ferrets starts at around $200, Yager said. With food and supplies, yearly vaccinations and veterinary costs, they can be costly animals to keep, she said.

Part of her job as the MFA's public relations representative is to make sure people know what they're getting into when adopting a ferret. She said people can learn more about ferret ownership at the organization's annual Spring Frolic fundraiser at St. Vital Park this Saturday, June 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. For a three-dollar donation, supporters will get a hot dog, chips and drink and be able to play games. In addition to games for humans, there will also be games for ferrets.

If you would like more information about the MFA, would like to become a volunteer or member or are interested in adopting a sheltered ferret, please contact the shelter at 661-1389. You can also learn more by visiting www.manitobaferrets.ca.

If you know a special volunteer who strives to make their community a better place to live, please contact Erin Madden at erinmadden@shaw.ca.

A list of volunteer opportunities advertised in the Winnipeg area. For more information about these listings, please contact the person/organization directly. You may also call (204) 477-5180 ext. 221 to set up an appointment to see an interviewer at Volunteer Manitoba. Email: vmreferral@mts.net or visit our website: www.volunteermanitoba.ca for other opportunities.

Volunteer drivers needed: Rupert's Land Caregiver Services for "Ring-a-Ride" a transportation program to take clients residing in SW Winnipeg to appointments, shopping and social outings. Compensation for gasoline and parking is provided. Call 452-9491.

Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights needs volunteers to make followup calls to individuals sent an invitation to an event who have not yet RSVP'd. A script is provided and there is no soliciting. Call Vanessa, 944-2472 or vtetrault@friendsofcmhr.com.

Rainbow Society needs fundraising committee members to help make dreams come true for sick children in Manitoba; an office support volunteer with general office duties, and special events volunteers. Call Tatiana, 989-4010 or tatiana@therainbowsociety.com.

MS Society of Manitoba requires volunteers for their Rona Bike Tour on the weekend of Aug. 29 and 30. The tour begins in Stonewall on Saturday morning; the riders finish in Gimli and on Sunday the route is reversed returning back in Stonewall. Volunteers are needed for such things as registration, food service, road Marshalls, etc. Call Barb, 988-0919 or barb.leslie@mssociety.ca.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 22, 2009 A2