In 1994, Barbara Clay's pet ferret, "Rocky," climbed out a window in her home and was never found. A year later, she visited a ferret breeder to buy another.

But she found horrible conditions and a breeder overwhelmed with 230 ferrets. She offered to help find homes for them and ended up creating Rocky's Ferret Rescue and Shelter. She set up cages in an old milking parlor on the former dairy farm she rents in Parkton and moved the ferrets in.

Clay has since arranged adoptions for 3,000 ferrets of all sizes, ages and colors. Today, she has 30 ferrets available for adoption, and generally keeps no more than 40 at her shelter.

Rocky's is hosting its annual fundraiser, Ferretstock on May 30 from 2 p.m. to midnight at the pavilion and picnic area at the Parkton American Legion, on York Road in Parkton.

The event features food and drinks, raffles and auction, music, a karaoke contest and a drawing for a year's worth of Mega Millions lottery tickets.

"We're a nonprofit group with a volunteer base of about 20 people, so we really rely on this fundraiser," Clay said.

"Ferrets are endearing creatures who even do a little dance when they're happy," Clay said. "But they need human interaction and at least four hours out of their cages a day. They're not for everyone."

Ferrets are members of the weasel family, related to otters, and have an average life span of eight years, Clay said.

She will bring some ferrets that are available for adoption to Ferretstock, but asks visitors to leave their ferrets and other pets at home.

Admission to Ferretstock is $10 and includes soda and beer. Food is sold separately. For $20, visitors get unlimited beer, soda, pit beef and ham, hamburgers and hot dogs.

An on-going karaoke contest will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. The winner, decided by popular vote, will receive $100. The Mega Millions one-year subscription drawing will be held at 8 p.m.

People with campers and tents are welcome, but need to call 410-329-6111 to make free reservations.

The American Legion is located at 19520 York Road, Parkton.

For more information about ferret adoption, go to www.rockysferrets.com. Rocky's Ferret Shelter and Rescue is located at 832C Falls Road, Parkton.

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