• June 5, 2021

Pros and cons of adopting ferrets

Congratulations!

The option to adopt ferrets is the most wonderful way to bring a little ferret into your life when it needs you most. There is a difference between adoption and foster care. When you bring a ferret into a foster home, you can expect the shelter to cover veterinary costs for you, and you can also expect to return the ferret to the shelter and provide information on what you’ve observed of the ferret’s behavior that will improve your chances of finding one. adequate permanent housing.

If this is your first time caring for / adopting a ferret –

Meet with ferret owners, the shelter operator, and a recommended vet. Search for books or articles online about ferret care or look at a series of informational documents called the FERRET FAQ (for frequently asked questions). The Ferret Frequently Asked Questions are a rich and unrivaled resource on all aspects of ferret care and personality, and this resource is available free of charge via the Internet, and is positively broader and more informative in scope. You can also refer to MaFF’s publication Your Ferret: A Lifetime Commitment of Care for more information on the costs of care you can expect over the life of the animals.

If you already have ferrets

Ferrets accept their new owners most of the time and it is unusual for them to be hostile. There are also resources outlining how to do “introductions” to ferrets. Note the attitude of the ferret. If you already have one or more ferrets in your family, we recommend that you take their personalities into account. Older ferrets that have been ‘single’ for more than a year may have trouble accepting a new ferret (whether that new ferret is a baby or an adult). Although some people do accompany their ferrets to the shelter to mingle with other potential new ferrets. Be sure to call ahead and check with the shelter first about bringing your pets to the shelter to meet others.

Adult or baby? Male or female? One or more?

Adopting an adult ferret can be really exciting. Adults are easier to care for as they are done with the early “baby-nippy” stage, making adults a good choice if you prefer not to worry about this stage of life. This is also a good option if you have never adopted a baby ferret before. Older ferrets are often difficult to find a home for, making it a wonderful experience if you want them to become a member of your family. There are also baby ferrets in shelters, but you need to be careful when choosing healthy ones. Try not to have standards of what you would like to adopt if you are going to a shelter.

As long as you have an open mind and heart, there is a ferret that will capture your heart but may not necessarily meet your expectations. The sizes will differ if you choose a man over a woman. Males are larger and heavier eaters and poppers than females. Each ferret has a different personality so it cannot be generalized that there is a character in males than in females. Your advantage of removing a ferret from a shelter is that you can discuss many options and care tips with the shelter operator. You will learn the exact history of the ferret, how to properly care for it, and what to expect from animal behavior and adoption based on your discussions. This makes it very different from buying one from a pet store. With adoption, you have a better chance of knowing more because of the shelter circumstances.

It’s common for shelters to take a couple, trio, or multiple groups of one-part ferrets and deliver them, so there are sometimes requests to keep them all together. Most of the time it is better to comply with such requests because ferrets bond and separation can cause stress for them. Hearty ferrets can make a good “instant family,” so if there’s enough space in the house, it can be a wonderful experience! Getting the whole group together may mean you won’t have to go through formal “introduction” phases. Ferrets that come in groups can be very friendly.

A few words about our little ‘bad luck’ cases

There are some cases where shelters accept ferrets that have been mistreated, abused, or elderly, or are experiencing behavior problems. This is where the true heart comes in. If you have a lot of experience with ferrets, or if you have enough confidence and experience with other orphaned or homeless pets, raising a ferret can be very rewarding. Loving and caring for a poor ferret that needs it most can pay off many rewards, although the people willing to take on this difficult task can be very rare. You can be the ferret in his last chance in life. Helping a poor child through difficult situations can be eye-opening, as it is emotionally rewarding.

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