Anyone have a ferret/s?

K9companions

I need some advice. My boyfriend and I have been doing our research and we think we are ready to adopt two of these curious little troublemakers. I have been trying to find a breeder, but it doesn't seem to be popular around where I live. I live right outside Philadelphia PA. Now, there is a Petco that sells ferrets. Besides the obvious healthy signs, is getting a ferret from the pet store bad (should I really press going to a breeder?) because it doesn't look like that route is working out. Also, for a ferret, if you get it a little bit older, will it still bond to you? It's still young, but perhaps not as young as you would get from a breeder.

I've tried researching if getting a ferret from the pet store is bad (I guess I'm thinking along the lines of dogs and cats), but it seems to be the only route I can take. What I have found so far, is that people seem to be generally okay with pet stores supplying ferrets. I've tried petfinder and adoptapet.com but nothing is near me, and I would rather get a kit. Any help is appreciated!

MonicaBH

I have one ferret left out of my original group of four. She's got to be 7-8 years old now, which for a domestically bred ferret is pretty old. I actually own a ferret forum that is relatively active.

Most of the ferrets you will find in pet stores are "farm ferrets", which are the equivalent of puppy mills. Jills (intact females) are repeatedly bred; often times, the kits (babies) are removed far too early, and it has been reported that their eyes are forced open in order to sell them faster.

Are you aware of the health problems that ferrets run in to? I think they are worse than dogs when it comes to health! Housing, husbandry, health, nutrition... it's all very specific to ferrets. Those little rascals get COSTLY, too...

I know of at least two private breeders in Maryland that I have spoken to regarding purchase. I was wait listed for about 4 years with one of them; she finally has a kit that I want (male black sable) but unfortunately I am not in a position where I'll be adopting more ferrets any time soon. I do not know how close you are, but it's worth looking into these ladies. They are active in showing and are very knowledgeable.

Also, look in to rescue. Many rescues will adopt out bonded pairs for a reduced price.

They really are great little critters. I wish I had the time, room and money for more. My first boy, Chavez, was the greatest little man in the world. I lost him to insulinoma and adrenal gland disease in May 2005 and I still get teary eyed thinking about him.

I'll post some ferrety pics in a second...

MonicaBH

My best boy, Chavez.


The four of them, enjoying their "duck soup" (top to bottom: Jose, Arturo, Emilie, Chavez; note Chavy's "rat tail" from adrenal disease)


Emilie & Artie enjoying the sun


Rice box fun!


Those are just a few of what I have. Looking at those makes me really, really miss having more of these guys around. Hopefully one day my finances and time will afford more.

K9companions

Thanks for the reply.

Maryland is awefully far to go for one of these guys. It's strange because everyone else I have asked, they said that getting it from the pet store is fine, as long as you get it early and it looks healthy, and they told me the appropriate things to look for.

That was my original guess, that pet stores use the same tactics such as puppy mills but with ferrets. But I don't see any other option.

I will love these guys unconditionally and try to provide the best home, but ferret breeders, according to my research, are expensive enough. Then to have the ferret shipped or put the gas money into going to Maryland, doesn't seem like it's going to work. =/

I'm really confused now and I don't think anyone, with the knowledge, wants to endorse ferret mills, but breeders are rare. Well this is a sticky situation...

Edit - Also, there are no close rescues as well. The closest is far in Delaware...There is only one in my area, and it has one ferret right now that is adopted.

Also, I've been looking on craigslist for ferrets in the home environment. I have had some lluck that way, so maybe I will be able to go that route without buying from the pet store.

Katzyn

Yeah...I really wish petstores would stop selling thme, like Petsmart has stopped. Too many people just think they're so cute and want to buy one without even looking into the care.

I think the Craig'sList idea is a really good one. Not only would you not be supporting probably-BYB-ferret breeding and/or petstores, you'd be helping an unwanted ferret find a good home. And, you can probably find a good deal - people seem to often sell their cages and supplies along with the critter.

Pai

I bought all my past rats in pet shops... but now I know better. If I ever get rats in the future it will only be from home-based breeders... Every animal you can get in a pet store seems to come from an awful mill. =/

I'm guessing it's the same for the birds there too. Are there parakeet mills? Probably...

railNtrailcowgrl

Yes http://www.projectperry.com/birdmills.html

http://www.petstoreabuse.com/birdbreeding.html

Willowy

Yeah, check out your local shelters (you'd be surprised how many ferrets end up in regular shelters) and craigslist/freecycle/ads in the paper/etc. They won't be any healthier but at least you wouldn't be supporting the mills.

In my experience, it doesn't matter how old they are when you get them. Unless they've been horribly abused, the bonding will be the same. I've actually found it much harder to bond with young kits. They have NO attention span, and the nipping is terrible.

The kits in the pet stores are much younger than the ones you'd get from a breeder. A breeder would never let a kit go until 10-12 weeks, but the pet store kits are taken from their mothers at 5 weeks, spayed/neutered/descented, allowed a few days to heal, then shipped to pet stores when they're about 6-7 weeks old. WAY too young. This causes some serious bite inhibition problems and other issues. So if you could find a breeder, that would be primo. But otherwise, I'd say adopting older ferrets would be much better. At least they'd be past the VERY naughty kit stage.

I NEVER recommend for a first-time ferret owner to get a kit. They're very challenging.

Pai

It amazes me how the world of pets has so many beautiful, loving things going on in it, while at the same time there are horrible things going on too. I guess that's how it is everywhere in life -- nothing wonderful exists without something bad existing as well. Moneygrubbing is the cause of so much pain, to humans and animals alike.

Poor birdies.