I have run a ferret rescue for fourteen years rescuing and rehoming hundreds of ferrets, caring for the sick and neglected. I have done so in spite of several life changes including orthopedic disabilities.

In early November 2014 my knee started giving me trouble so I moved my 16 furkids to an area of the home where I could care for them without doing steps. On December 27, something in the back of my knee snapped causing extreme pain and unable to bear any weight. Foreseeing a few days in the hospital, I called on Julie Loving, someone that lived closeby that I knew from the Facebook ferret community. She arrived while I lay on the floor waiting to call an ambulance and I could give her the information for caring for the ferrets. She agreed to do so from my home. Over the next couple of days she removed all of the ferrets from my home saying she could only care for them if they were in her possession. One thing I had made abundantly clear is that I did not want my situation posted on social media to avoid anyone knowing my house was vacant. I could not reach her by phone to discuss anything. We exchanged emails only.

The next thing I see is a fundraiser on her page needing money to care for her "sick friend's ferrets". I left her with everything she needed.. food, supplements, medicine and a freezer full of gravy for the special needs kids. I began to suspect something was wrong but was powerless to physically do anything about it until I was released on January 4. Throughout the week she assured me the ferrets were all fine and that she did not want to keep them but expressed concern about the "condition of my house" and my physical ability to care for them. Yes, my house was a little upside down. I was in the process of parting with my dad's possessions after his recent passing and cleaning out an attic that hadn't  been touched in 50 years. ....by myself....with disabilities. When I attempted to reclaim my ferrets on January 4, she refused and dodged all attempts by the police to reclaim them. She even went as far as lying to the police claiming that they had all been taken to an animal hospital in Abingdon. A visit by the local police proved this was not the case.

Next came a huge amount of drama on social media claiming I was a hoarder, the ferrets were malnourished. Hundreds of pictures circulated through her page of my home and many people were quick to jump on the band wagon...even though they had never been to my home or been party to the situation. This, I can deal with. Somethin Up My Sleeve Rescue has been in existence for fourteen years working with local animal control authorities who have been to the house and given written documentation to the good condition in which the animals are kept. We are listed with Support Our Shelters and have participated with AFA events and supported other rescues when help was needed. In 2006 we assisted a back yard breeder, taking in over 35 ferrets to help them scale back. We did not do this by stealing the ferrets. We respected the humans involved, worked WITH them without judgment.  

Since then, I have been fighting to get the ferrets back through the court system. This was my only recourse.  Ms. Loving has managed to dodge two court dates since this occurred, lastly requesting a jury trial for which a date has not yet been set. The state's attorney and the public defender are working on the case, I believe in hopes of settling the matter without a court date.

Ms. Loving's accusations are nothing more than a feeble attempt to justify her criminal actions to gain respect in the ferret community. There  exists a group of people that exist to shut down other ferret rescues and this action put a feather in Julie's cap in their eyes. When they succeed at shutting down others, it means more money in donations for them. This despicable behavior must stop. . 

A case of this type is unprecented in Maryland. Animals, unfortunately in the eyes of the law are viewed as "property" and it is very difficult to determine a replacement value for rescued animals. I am NOT  after a replacement value. I want my fur children returned. I have endured a tremendous amount of anxiety and depression as a result of this incident. I arrived home from the hospital to no fur babies and the area they were kept in ransacked. (part of the photos that were staged). No one in their right mind could believe that ferrets made this kind of mess....they lack the strength and opposable thumbs.  Blankets scattered everywhere, newspapers strewn throughout the kitchen. One ferret has already passed because he was improperly medicated. Naturally I am being blamed for his passing. Oddly enough I had that ferret for two years, incurred over $700 in expenses for surgery and medical care. They had him for a month and he died. I have doubt that he grieved and stopped eating and was not getting the round the clock care that I provided. Two of those ferrets were seven years old. I have had them since infancy. Who could believe that ferrets could live that long AND be neglected. It makes no sense.

Playing devil's advocate, let's say the ferrets were lacking in care. What human being would not do the right thing and step up and help someone with a physical disability? Where is the proof that these animals were neglected? It simply does not exist. Professional rescues are not done without photos, vet records, documentation.This is NOT how an animal rescue community functions. We are supposed to support each other, not lay in wait until a rescuer is down for the count and move in like sharks that smell blood in the water. Ms. Loving needs to be held accountable for her actions, charged accordingly and forced to return these beloved animals to their home. This has gone on now for eight months..... Eight agonizing months.

I am guessing if you are reading this , you have an animal companion of your own. Can you imagine them being stolen from you? Imagine not knowing where they are and powerless to bring them home. Then, multiply those feelings times sixteen. I honestly don't know how I have survived the heartbreak. For three months, all I could do is shake and cry. The ferret pictured above is beloved Thunderkiss laying in a blanket he picked out at a yard sale for his birthday. Does he really look unloved? Deprived? Malnourished? Where is Ms. Loving's proof of her claims? The photo evidence? The calls to animal control? THEY DO NOT EXIST.

Please sign this petition to the Maryland State's Attorney- Stacey Ampero and express the outrage over the delay in resolving this case. This is Ms. Loving's first offense and I'm sure she is  hoping for probation. The court must be made to realize that a theft of this kind holds a value that is not just financial. Our beloved animal companions are not just  property. Money is not acceptable compensation for this crime.  It is an emotional attack not only on myself but on my precious babies that share an emotional bond.  Uprooted from the home they loved and disbursed to places unknown. Separated from their bonded buddies.

Please sign this petition. Take a moment to tell the State of Maryland Attorney to take all actions necessary to return the ferrets safely to their home.