by Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson
Member since:
July 25, 2007

Stolen ferrets--can anyone help?

January 08, 2008 10:58 PM EST
views: 78 | comments: 30

Cara Martin (of Pittsburgh, PA) had left her ferrets with Bob & Kelly Sokolsky (of Latrobe or Derry, PA) while she went to London. She paid him to ferret-sit. She just got an email Sunday (1/6/08) that he was moving, didn't know when or where and wouldn't have a phone. He said he was getting rid of his ferrets (one of which he adopted from me!!) and he didn't know what he would do with hers. It doesn't sound good, but maybe someone hacked his address. However, the phone number he gave her is disconnected (the same number he gave me when he adopted). It's frightening.

The adoption contract with my shelter states he is NOT to give the ferrets to anyone else, except back to me, that he is to notify me if he moves, etc.

Please pass this info around and see if anyone knows him. I wouldn't have adopted to him if he hadn't seemed okay, and Cara said that he and his wife seemed very nice. We don't know if something awful happened or what.

Her ferret's names are Benny and Billy. Cara is returning soon (due to return to Pittsburgh on January 16) and will be in transit a while. I'm acting as a go-between until she gets back in the states.

The photo at the top is Benny and Billy. Any help or information would be appreciated.
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Comments: 30

donna h. Jan 8, 2008, 11:03pm EST
wow, this is the first time I have heard of ferrets being stolen..I hope they are ok
Trish A. Jan 8, 2008, 11:05pm EST
Oh my goodness. This is so sad. I wish you the best of luck.
Ellie !. Jan 8, 2008, 11:13pm EST
hope it turns out
Jessie B. Jan 8, 2008, 11:14pm EST
I hope things get straightened out
I would post something on Craigslist for your area. Maybe someone knows him.
Janet H. Jan 9, 2008, 12:06am EST
Wow, I hope the lady gets her 2 ferrets back and that you get back the one adopted from you. Did the man have your phone number and address to contact you before he did anything with the ferrets?
Tory H. Jan 9, 2008, 12:17am EST
That's horrible! I hope all of this can be worked out, and the ferrets can return to their rightful places...
Amber D. Jan 9, 2008, 2:02am EST
what a horrible thing to do, i would say check local shelters and definately the paper!
Shawnee G. Jan 9, 2008, 3:27am EST
Try posting ads on Craigslist, Petfinder, making fliers, contacting local shelters, maybe the bulletin boards at any business's that still have them.
I hope all turns out well for the owner trying to get her two back, seems like she was trying to be responsible by having a sitter.
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Jan 9, 2008, 7:53am EST
Yes, he had my information. In fact, he signed a legal contract that said he would not give the adopted ferret to anyone except me if he couldn't keep it. I'll try Craigslist, Petfinder (hadn't thought of either of those), local shelters and humane agencies today.

Thanks for the good thoughts. I'm sure she's beside herself. I'm just pissed.
That's awful. There's one more thing you can try... call the local animal control in his area and I "believe" that, by law, they have to go over and check to see if he and the ferrets are still there - it's a crime, at least on the part of the person who's ferrets he was "supposed to" be sitting and on yours as well, since you have a contract. Good luck.
Marilyn (previous Aid To Helpless Animals Shelter)
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Jan 9, 2008, 11:07am EST
Thanks, Marilyn, I'd have to check into that. I think the biggest problem for me would be that MY ferrets aren't stolen, just Cara's. I'm pretty sure they'd want to talk to her. And she has contacted police. They did say they couldn't tell her where he'd gone without a court order. MY ferret was adopted. My concern in the matter is if he's dropped the adopted ferret off somewhere. I have to call some people. I'm just worried that he's moved out of state and dropped them off there rather than here.
Dawn G. Jan 9, 2008, 12:59pm EST
This is a bad situation. However, there are laws to prevent him from just getting rid of the animals. He was paid and if she got a receipt or has witnesses that would be great. He could have left the animals with you till she got back. I wish you and her luck this is not a good situation.
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Jan 9, 2008, 1:26pm EST
Thanks, Dawn. I believe she paid me with a check the time I watched her ferrets. I'll ask her if she has any proof of payment.
becky soccer mom x1 p. Jan 10, 2008, 5:47pm EST
this is horible
hope all works out
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Jan 10, 2008, 6:10pm EST
Thanks everyone. We've made contact through his sister, so it looks like things will be okay. But I won't breathe easy until all the ferrets are where they belong.
Christina F. Jan 10, 2008, 9:02pm EST
Oh, man, how scary. I hope things will be OK. Keep us posted!!!!

Also, thank you for checking out my second chapter. I really appreciate your nice comment.

I hope to hear good news about Benny and Billy - they are so adorable!
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Jan 10, 2008, 9:45pm EST
We won't know if the exchange goes well until at least the 17th. A rather long time to sit and chew our fingernails! :)
Kimber L. Jan 10, 2008, 10:04pm EST
Oh no, how horrible, i will pray for their safe return!

also, thank you for your advice on my hubby's crazy ex!
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Jan 11, 2008, 2:45pm EST
I can't believe someone would do that. I'm glad you got ahold of him through his sister though. Let us know how it turns out.
flit . Jan 11, 2008, 5:50pm EST
oh, I'm glad to hear that there's hope, at least.
Kimber L. Jan 13, 2008, 8:20pm EST
you will have to give us an update so we know how things turn out!!! i am still praying for their return!!
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Jan 13, 2008, 8:28pm EST
They're due back on the 17th. A policeman from the area said that if they don't get returned, he would stop by the guy's house and recommend he return Cara's propery. :)
jackie c. Sep 3, 2008, 4:01pm EDT
wow that is sad i hope all goes well
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Sep 3, 2008, 4:13pm EDT
It's all done ... they're with me now. The owner got them back and one month later decided to surrender them. *sigh*
Jessica I. Nov 19, 2008, 3:48pm EST
what a fiasco. glad everything got settled.
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Nov 19, 2008, 4:14pm EST
It did, pretty much. However, the story didn't really end there. They still have the ferret they adopted from the shelter and refused to give up, which I consider to be in danger. Also, even more ironically, the ferrets she caused such an uproar over were surrendered a couple months later. :\
Mariana T. Jan 11, 2009, 9:27pm EST
I can not begin to express my disdain over irresponsible pet owners - Oh ok I just read that you have them - ok well, then all is well - blessings. Salud
Mariana T. Jan 11, 2009, 9:29pm EST
I have taken in cats after two major hurricanes and though the number is 17 with most fixed - I refuse to give them away to people who just want kittens for their kids - I have to have a whole history of all the animals they've had and see their house - I'm better than the humane society and most of the time, I refuse them kittens because I know they are better off with me and the volunteers who feed and care for them when I'm not in La. Salud
Barb (Gather Site Ferret) Carlson Jan 12, 2009, 10:17am EST
Mariana: It's hard. The worst is when you get people who know all the right answers and ignore what they're supposed to be doing anyway.

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