Ferret adoption?

[rek143]

I'm getting a ferret this summer, and I already know I don't want to buy one from a pet store, or from a breeder. I was hoping to adopt one, thing is I don't know any ferret adoption places.

I'm a first-time ferret owner, so it would be nice to find a place where the ferrets have been handled constantly, and are behavior assessed, so I can have an easier one rather than getting a ferret with behavior problems.
I live in maryland, and am willing to drive up to 4 hours to reach shelters, so does anyone know any good ferret shelters that behavior assess the ferrets?

[missyme]

Hi

I don't know any, but have you tired to google any animal rescue places near you? that would be a good place to start. Well done for getting a rescue, all my hamsters are, and they deserve a lovely home!. Good luck

[Dalis_mum]

Hi

My first advice is: If you are keeping rodents, don't keep ferrets at the same time. You will never be able to remove their natural musk from you and as they are predatory animals it will terrify any rodents or lagos (rabbits and hares). It would be cruel.

Secondly: Ferrets are prone to ingrained behaviour problems. Unlike smaller animals like hamsters, their issues are more difficult to reverse. There will be reasons that ferrets have ended up in rescue and that isnt often because they have led a great life. Most centres are over run so these animals do get lots of handling whilst there. It is very noble wanting to rescue, but lack of experience means you could end up with a difficult animal that you lack the experience to help adjust.

As an experienced ferret owner to a newbie I would recommend looking at local breeders, speaking to them asking if they have older animals that are 'manned up/hand trained' or if they are willing to work extensively with you to train a kit.

I hope the above hasn't come across as patronising, I inadvertently turned into the local ferret rescue 6 years ago. People saw me walking my jills and started asking for help and before I knew it I was being woken at 2 am by the door bell and answering to a hob on the doorstep in a tiny hamster cage and them running round the corner of the street. What I found most common was people not realising that they're not rodents. They are predators. They still hold a lot of their polecat instincts. They are mustelids, Like badgers and weasels, renowned vicious animals. They eat meat, raw meat such as liver and kidney that people don't like handling. They can be tamed, but I seriously recommend doing with the aid of an experienced breeder, at least for your first kit. Thats how I started. Start with a pair from a breeder who can help, then get yourself a huge ferret court and build your community with rescues when you're ready because ferrets are commune animals so you can add more into the group at a later date, they tend to have a 'yay, a new playmate' attitude rather than a 'what you doing in my house' outlook.

I am happy to be a resource for any questions you may have, but please don't take adopting a ferret lightly.

[Thin Lizzy]

WOW! I never knew that ferrets were predators. I just thought they were normal pets.
Your post isn't in the least bit patronising, it's very straight to the point and very honest.
The information you find on this forum is really great!
I've never been a fan of ferrets, they kinda freak me out!

[Shannonmcn]

Ferrets are predators in the same way a cat is a predator Thin Lizzy!

I would love ferrets at some point but I don't have the time or the space for them! I think that's an excellent post Dalis_mum!

[Thin Lizzy]

Yikes! I love cats but, I wouldn't have one because my first love is my hamsters.

[Dalis_mum]

Ferrets are more instinctively predatory than cats. They're closer to their wild decendents. Don't get me wrong, they can be great pets if trained properly. The ones i got myself, that weren't dumped on me, i was confident to let them be handled by small children, i wouldn't do that with the rescues as i didn't know their history.

Ferret are kittens that never grow up if given the right training and environment. Given the wrong start in life and they Will know to break your other pets neck on the first strike.

You must also consider spaying costs if you get a Jill as they can die if not mated after they came into heat. And hobs do nothing but rub their balls on things if you let them keep them.

[racinghamster]

Fantastic advice dalis_mum and put in a way that really should make anyone thing long and hard about ferret ownership. I nearly went down the same route a few years ago as after I lost my Labrador, I kept various rodents for a while, mice, gerbils, a few degus etc... and then thought how nice it would be to have a rescue house ferret rummaging around in their cheeky fashion! However, when I read more into owning a fetter/ferrets, I couldn`t see myself putting up with biting or the smell, so I reluctantly shelved my ferret plans. I was truly keen on the idea, but left it well alone. I keep a single dwarf hamster these days as they are far easier to cope with! x

[Dalis_mum]

In my opinion ferret are outdoor animals. They are too destructive to be uncaged unsupervised. I had a 10ft x 10ft x 6ft ferret court with 12 neutered ferrets in the end. 3 from kits, 9 rescues. I cleaned out twice a day. Its a lot of work but it was very rewarding. I will have ferrets again one day but right now i don't have the time or space. Its just gonna be me and a rodent or 2 until i have my PhD.

[racinghamster]

Wise words. I doubt I would have the energy now for feisty, high energy pets! x