| So, you have settled on getting a pet ferret but | | | | Many of the ferrets that are available for |
| is it better to buy a ferret or adopt? If you | | | | adoption will be older and come from previous |
| choose to buy a ferret you will have more control | | | | homes. You should ask the staff to provide you |
| over the type that you have. If you want a | | | | with as much background information that they |
| specific color you can find a breeder or pet store | | | | have on each one you are considering. Whilst they |
| that has what you are looking for. You will also | | | | will already be used to human intervention and |
| have a better chance of getting a baby, or Kit, | | | | handling you may have to train them out of |
| which you will be able to train as you want. You | | | | existing behaviours that you find undesirable. You |
| will be paying a bit more for your ferret initially | | | | may find that they have already had their shots |
| and will also have to cover the full cost of | | | | and been neutered and descented. If not, some |
| vaccinations, neutering and descenting as well as | | | | shelters and associations can do this for you at an |
| microchipping the ferret. However, many of these | | | | additional cost or the will be able to put you in |
| are one-time costs. | | | | touch with a ferret friendly vet who can carry |
| If you prefer to adopt or re-home a ferret then | | | | these out for you. |
| you should contact local ferret rescue shelters | | | | You may also find that the shelter asks you to |
| and associations as well as organisations like the | | | | adopt more than one at a time, particularly if you |
| ASPCA in the US or the RSPCA in the UK to see | | | | are considering getting more in the future. Ferrets |
| if they have any. You will be interviewed by the | | | | are very social creatures and form bonds with |
| staff to assess your suitability for a ferret and will | | | | each other. Sometimes the shelters get pairs or |
| be asked to make several return visits to select | | | | groups of ferrets from the same source and are |
| and bond with a ferret before bringing him home. | | | | asked not to split them up. If you really cannot |
| You may also have a home visit by them to see | | | | take on more than one then you can ask for |
| what environment your prospective new arrival | | | | singles or you may prefer to go to the pet store |
| will be coming into and given tips and advice on | | | | or a breeder for your new ferret. |
| how to make your home ferret proof. | | | | |