Last Updated 2/10/13
Meet the Founders of OCFerrets: Dawn & Lance
Over a decade ago, Dawn really wanted a ferret but Lance immediately protested saying they stunk, along with a few more reasons why they shouldn't have ferrets. All it took was the kisses from little albino ferret named Tiara to change his mind forever. Together, Dawn and Lance have been active over the years with several organizations besides OCFerrets including Ferrets Anonymous and the California Domestic Ferret Educational Alliance. They also own Loving Ferrets Online Community, an open online forum designed to assist and educate ferret enthusiasts from all over the world.
Our First Ferret - Badger
When Dawn makes up her mind, there's no changing it - just ask Lance. She went to AZ to get her ferret that she wanted for years. Badger was Dawn and Lance's first ferret, he was a mama's boy completely, the love of Dawn's life, and he was spoiled rotten.
When he turned four years old, Badger started showing signs of illness and Dawn and Lance did everything in their power to keep him well for as long as they could. By the time he was five years old, cancer had spread thoughtout his body and he passed away. Lymphoma took him from Dawn & Lance far too soon. Dawn's world was turned upside down, and she grieved for months; but she knew that she had to continue on loving the ferrets that made their way to them for one reason or another.
Badger is missed terribly in their house, but remembered daily.
When he turned four years old, Badger started showing signs of illness and Dawn and Lance did everything in their power to keep him well for as long as they could. By the time he was five years old, cancer had spread thoughtout his body and he passed away. Lymphoma took him from Dawn & Lance far too soon. Dawn's world was turned upside down, and she grieved for months; but she knew that she had to continue on loving the ferrets that made their way to them for one reason or another.
Badger is missed terribly in their house, but remembered daily.
The Love of Koko
Lance's first and only ferret that he ever bought for himself was Koko. Koko was a prissy, beautiful little sable lady that came home as the result of a trip to Las Vegas. That trip, turned into an excursion that brought three new babies into their household. While Missy Ko only lived five and a half years, Lance carries a tattoo of her on his right arm that used the photo that you see here as the model for his permanent reminder - to always remember how much he loves his little miss. Koko will always be the baby who stole Lance's heart permanently, and the one who took that heart with her when she left for the Rainbow Bridge.
Our First Rescue - Minky
It seems like so long ago now, but one day at work, Lance was told by a co-worker that there was a ferret that was owned by a friend who was in really bad shape. Knowing that Lance was "into ferrets" (still Dawn's fault), he volunteered to go get the little guy and try to help in any way he could. When Dawn & Lance met Minky he was picked up in what can only be described as one of the worst areas of Los Angeles. His owners didn't know what was wrong with him, but Dawn & Lance knew right away that Minky had advanced adrenal disease. Within days of being rescued, Minky got surgery and eventually recovererd. Minky's rescue and rehabilitation was the first rescue that Dawn & Lance ever performed and is what gave life to what has become OCFerrets. Minky lived to be 9 years old, and then they had to send him on his way with as much love as they could give him. Every moment spent with this beautiful boy was a blessing to their lives.
