By: Derek Maiolo
Melanee Ellis has given more than just her time to ferrets in need. Her rescue center has helped abused, neglected, and escaped ferrets from Oregon and California find treatment and loving homes, all of which is done from her own home.
Melanee Ellis stands in her living room, holding one of the 33 ferrets she houses in her northwest Eugene home which doubles as a no-kill ferret rescue.
Some shelter ferrets such as Eva, 5, require special attention. Because she experienced extreme amounts of stress from her previous owners, she does not eat on her own and will starve if Ellis does not lend a helping hand, force-feeding her twice a day.
Ellis flips Mitzie, 6, on her back to inspect the murky green scars healing by her legs. Mitzie, who was found recently running wild in Alton Baker Park, got the wounds in a fight with another animal.
After Eva’s force-feeding, Ellis gives her a once-over to inspect scratches along her face and body. The existing scars are the result of self-mutilation, a reaction to the abuse Eva suffered in her previous home.
Ellis takes a break from her job as caretaker to receive a ferret kiss, something she describes as a mixture of curious licks and light nibbles. Moments like this remind Ellis that though her work is difficult, the rewards are great.
