Ferrets Abandoned At Putnam Park-And-Ride Lot, Signs Of Neglect: SPCA

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Two ferrets were found abandoned Wednesday at a Park and Ride Parking lot on Route 311 in Patterson.

A good Samaritan called New York State police after seeing them in a plastic crate on the wooded edge of the lot.

State police called in the Putnam County SPCA. The animals were transported to a local small animal expert, who is caring for them.

The light-colored ferret is a young male, and the dark-colored ferret is a young female.

The SPCA's Law Enforcement Division is investigating it as a case of Animal Abandonment under the NYS Agriculture & Markets Law, a Class A Misdemeanor.

"Leaving animals at a rest stop and hoping for the best is not the act of a responsible person and definitely not in the animals' best interest," SPCA Chief Ken Ross said in the announcement.

Even in a crate, they would be easy prey for other animals. Even if able to get out, domesticated ferrets are unaccustomed to foraging for food and finding shelter, he said.

Both ferrets were found to have long nails, a bad sign, he told Patch.

"Normal grooming would include the nails being cut and kept shorter," Ross said. "The fact that the nails weren’t cut is a sign of possible neglect. If the nails go uncut, there is a possibility, as with dogs, that they will curl under and possibly puncture the paw pads causing tremendous pain."

The SPCA doesn't get a lot of animal abuse calls for ferrets, he said. "It's mostly abandonments with them, the same with rabbits and guinea pigs."

The ferrets are not currently available for adoption.

Anyone with information as to who might have committed this act is asked to please contact the Putnam County SPCA at 845-520-6915. Calls remain anonymous.

Putnam County SPCA 24 Hour Hotline – 845-520-6915 Website – www.spcaputnam.org