| Congratulations! | | | | if you would like it to become a member of your |
| An option to adopt ferrets is the single most | | | | family. There are baby ferrets in shelter homes |
| wonderful way of bringing a little ferret in your life | | | | too, but you should rather be careful in choosing |
| when it badly needs you the most. There is a | | | | the healthy ones. Try not to have standards of |
| difference between adoption and foster care. | | | | what you would like to adopt if you are going to |
| When you take a ferret for foster care, you can | | | | a shelter home. |
| expect that the shelter will cover veterinary costs | | | | As long as you have an open mind and heart, |
| for you, and you can also expect to be returning | | | | there is a ferret that will capture your heart but |
| the ferret to the shelter and providing information | | | | will not necessarily meet your expectations. Sizes |
| about what you have observed of the ferret | | | | will differ if you choose a male over a female. |
| behavior that will enhance its chances of finding a | | | | Males are bigger and are heavier eaters and |
| suitable permanent home. | | | | poppers than females. Each ferret has a different |
| If this is your first time in caring/adopting a ferret | | | | personality so it cannot be generalized that there |
| - | | | | is one character in males than in females. Your |
| Mingle with ferret owners, to the shelter operator, | | | | advantage in taking a ferret from a shelter home |
| and to a recommended veterinarian. Look for | | | | is that, you can discuss a lot of options and care |
| books or online articles on ferret care or look at a | | | | tips on the shelter operator. You will know the |
| series of informational documents called the | | | | exact history of the ferret, how to take care of |
| FERRET FAQ (for Frequently Asked Questions). | | | | it properly, and what to expect on the animals |
| The Ferret FAQ is a rich and incomparable | | | | behavior and to adopt basing it all from your |
| resource on all aspects of ferret care and | | | | discussions. This makes it a lot different from |
| personality, and this resource is available free of | | | | getting one from a pet store. With adoption, you |
| charge via the Internet, and is positively wide and | | | | stand a better chance of knowing more because |
| more informative in its scope. You can also check | | | | of the shelters circumstance. |
| the the MaFF publication Your Ferret: A Lifetime | | | | It is common that shelters receive a pair, a trio, |
| Commitment of Care for more information | | | | or multiple ferret groups from a single party |
| regarding the costs of care you can expect over | | | | surrendering them, so there are sometimes |
| the animals lifetime. | | | | requests to keep them all together. More often |
| If You Already Have Ferret(s) | | | | than not it is best to honor such requests |
| Ferrets accept their new owners most of the | | | | because ferrets bond together and separation can |
| time and it is unusual if they are hostile. There are | | | | cause them stress. Plentiful ferrets can make a |
| also resources noting how "introductions" are | | | | good "instant family", so if there is enough room |
| made to ferrets. Take into consideration the | | | | in the house, it can really be a wonderful |
| attitude of the ferret. If you already have one or | | | | experience! Getting the whole bunch can mean |
| more ferrets in your family, we recommend that | | | | that you wood not have to hurdle with formal |
| you take their personalities into account. Older | | | | "introduction" phases. Ferret coming in groups can |
| ferrets who have been 'onlys' for more than a | | | | be very friendly. |
| year or so can have problems accepting a new | | | | A Word about Our Tiny 'Hard Luck' Cases |
| ferret (whether that new ferret is a baby or an | | | | There are some cases where shelters take |
| adult). Though some people tag along their ferrets | | | | ferrets who were maltreated, abused, or elderly, |
| to the shelter to mingle with other potential new | | | | or are experiencing behavioral problems. This is |
| ferret. Be sure to call ahead and check with the | | | | where the real heart enters. If you are very |
| shelter first about bringing your pets to the | | | | much experienced with ferrets, or if you have |
| shelter to meet the others. | | | | enough confidence and experience with other |
| Adult or Baby? Male or Female? One or More? | | | | orphaned or homeless pets, fostering a ferret can |
| Adopting an adult ferret can really get exciting. | | | | be very rewarding. Loving and caring for a poor |
| Adults are easier to take care of since they have | | | | ferret that needs it the most can give many |
| done with the early 'baby-nippy' stage, making | | | | rewards though people willing to take this difficult |
| adults a good choice if you should rather not | | | | task can come so rare. You can be the ferret his |
| trouble yourself with this phase of life. This is also | | | | last chance on life. Helping a poor creature in |
| a good choice if you have never adopted a baby | | | | tough situations can be an eye-opener as it is |
| ferret before. Older ferrets are often difficult to | | | | emotionally rewarding. |
| find homes for, making it a wonderful experience | | | | |