The Guide To Ferret Adoption
Intro
If you want a ferret, adoption is a wonderful way to gain a new pet and save a life at the same time. Ferrets are currently the third most popular pet, behind dogs and cats. Unfortunately, popularity means a greater number of new owners who neglect, abuse or simply realize they don’t want their ferret. The unlucky ones are euthanized or “set free” in the wild, where they die of starvation within days. The lucky ones find themselves at a shelter or rescue, given a second chance at a happy life when they are listed for adoption.
Meeting The Animals At The Shelter
Ferret adoption offers several positive benefits to potential ferret owners, but there are a few negative points as well. The most important part to this process, though, is that you need to have done your homework first. Be sure you know that a ferret is the pet you really want. These animals have been cast off or abandoned by at least one owner already. It isn’t fair to the ferret, or to yourself, to go into an adoption unless it will mean a forever home for the animal. So, make sure you know about the quirks and difficulties of owning a ferret before you get one.
Look With Your Heart
Looking with your heart and not with your head is the best way to go about finding an adopted pet, and ferrets are no exception. If you go into the process of ferret adoption with specific ideas of what color, sex and age you want to find, you may miss the perfect pet for you. Imagine not noticing an older, loving, fun, sweet sable-colored girl who will adore you, because you had your mind set on a young albino male. Get to know each adoptable ferret and choose one by personality and by that sudden warmth inside that says you’ve found “the one.”
When looking at shelter animals, you’ll generally find ferrets who are a little older, who have grown out of the annoying habits of babies, such as excessive biting. Ferret kits change as they grow, in size, color pattern and personality, so buying a very young ferret is a bit like playing roulette. There’s no way of knowing what the animal will really be like as an adult. With ferret adoption, you’re likely to find animals whose personalities are fully developed, so when you watch and interact with them, you’ll get a good idea of whether you would enjoy them as a pet. Plus, ferrets who enter the rescue with behavior issues will usually be worked with and trained to eliminate the problems before they are offered for adoption.
Another reason to consider ferret adoption is that shelters and rescues usually charge far less to adopt an animal than pet stores do to purchase one. Adoptable ferrets are given their vaccinations and any needed medical attention before they are listed for adoption which also saves you money.
What They Cost
Sometimes ferrets from shelters and rescues even come with their cage when they are adopted. And while pet stores may offer a money-back guarantee if a ferret is sold with medical problems, they won’t take an animal back just because you decide you don’t like it or you have personality issues. Nearly all shelters and rescues require adopters to return the ferret to them if the adoption doesn’t seem to be working out. Depending on the shelter, you may be able to get your fee back or just try another ferret who may settle into your family better.
The Screening Process
When you decide on ferret adoption, be prepared for a screening process. Specific rules for adopters vary with each rescue, but generally the shelter will check to be sure you own your home or have permission from your landlord to have a pet. You’ll need to demonstrate that you know how to care for the ferret, that you’ll provide proper housing, care and safe surroundings, and other similar issues. Some rescues require adopters to agree to an in-home visit after a few months, so they can be sure the adopted animal is being loved and cared for.
Ferret adoption is possible for almost everyone who wants to bring a ferret into their life. No matter where you live in the United States , chances are there’s a ferret rescue or shelter within driving distance, and there are rescues located throughout other countries as well. Look for adoptable ferrets in your area at Petfinder.org, or find shelters and rescues through the American Ferret Association (ferret.org), or FerretCentral.org, which list organizations throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Ferret Adoption Links
www.petfinder.org
www.ferret.org
www.ferretcentral.org
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