'Bittersweet!' Altoona library retires 'furry' staff members: ferrets Draco & Juniper

Blair Co., PA (WJAC) — Tuesday was a "bittersweet” day for the staff and patrons of the Altoona Public Library as they hosted a birthday and goodbye celebration for two "furry members" of their staff.

For the past several years, the library has housed two ferrets.

Last week, one of the ferrets, “Draco,” was diagnosed with some significant health issues.

The staff made the difficult decision to retire her and her friend “Juniper” to the Wall-to-Wall Ferret Sanctuary in Hollidaysburg, where they will receive the care they need to live the rest of their lives comfortably.

Library staff say they can take comfort in the fact the animals have put smiles on the faces of so many in their short time there.

“They really are ambassadors to the community. I mean, they are community pets. We have older people that come in and enjoy watching them, and holding them, as well as very, very young children, and everybody in between. It’s been phenomenal.”

People can keep up to date with the ferrets by visiting the sanctuary’s Facebook page.

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