State Senator Vin Gopal will be at the Monmouth County SPCA Friday, April 1 at 5 p.m., to present a Senate Resolution honoring Musky the Ferret for her continued dedication and commitment on behalf of all animals great and small, sharing her rags to riches story on her abandonment, rescue and adoption.
At the same time, SPCA Chaplain Matty Giuliano, who adopted Musky, will present the SPCA with a $300 check from Musky’s official bank account to cover the costs of adoption of three ferrets currently at the SPCA.
Date for the Senatorial presentation makes it possible for the ferret to be honored in time to celebrate National Ferret Day April 2.
Musky was a stray ferret brought to the Monmouth County SPCA by animal control. She was subsequently adopted by Giuliano who formed a unique relationship and bond with the animal who joined the Giuliano family, including other pets in the household, at their home in Hazlet.
As a result, Giuliano wrote and published his first children’s book “My Name is Musky,,” illustrated by Morgan Spicer of Atlantic Highlands. The book has sold throughout the nation and in numerous other countries and has served to educate people on ferrets as household pets.
Since the popularity of the book, the Musky Ferret Empire has expanded to include an entire line of Musky Merchandise, with all proceeds donated to the SPCA and numerous ferret charities.
The Musky Foundation was also established at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital to help cover veterinary expenses for a ferret needing lifesaving service. Musky’s latest endeavor will also be announced at the April 1 presentation.
“It is heartbreaking to visit animal shelters and see the impact of neglect and cruelty on animals,” said Sen. Gopal. “But it is uplifting to see the great work the Monmouth County SPCA and its dedicated volunteers do to heal their pain and loneliness and find them loving homes.”
In recognizing Musky the Ferret for National Ferret Day, she is also being recognized in New Jersey for State Ferret Day. At the same time, the Monmouth County SPCA is being honored by the Senate for its 77 years of protecting and advocating for abused and neglected animals. “I am proud to stand with the SPCA against animal abuse and I urge residents to seriously consider enriching their own lives by adopting a shelter animal,” Gopal said.
“The Monmouth County SPCA looks forward to sharing in this incredible honor with Musky the Ferret, as the story of her success highlights the continued mission of the organization to protect, care and help our shared community find the joy and love that one can only receive from a companion animal,” said SPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra, who is also a Monmouth County Commissioner.
“We’re looking forward to a beautiful spring afternoon at the SPCA to honor our alumni, Musky, celebrate National Ferret Day, and see our SPCA honored by this resolution,” Licitra said. “Along with our friend and animal advocate, Senator Gopal, we’re pleased to highlight Musky and her story as a true testament to the hard work everyone here at the shelter does to combat animal abuse and give animals a second chance on life.”
Guiliano, who spearheaded the movement to give recognition to ferrets as pets, said he is thrilled with the honor and proud he played a role in bringing the importance of protecting animals to the forefront through Musky. He added that needs are greater than ever, with many people forced from their homes because of a variety of problems including evictions after Covid restrictions against such action were lifted, and thus were also forced to abandon their animals or bring them to the SPCA.
You can follow Musky on Face Book https://www.facebook.com/MuskyTheFerret/
