Hello from Perth (Western Australia)

[Deleted]

Hello all :3
My name's Vorn, I'm 20 yrs old and live in Perth, in Western Australia. I'm in my final year of a double major in Genetics and Zoology, and am going to begin studying medicine next year. I've never owned a ferret before, and (to my regret) still don't! I've been researching and looking into getting one for about a year now, but only recently has it really seemed possible. 

Until very recently I have been a breeder of Burmese cats. I live in a household with 5 adult females, of which 3 are Queens and are breeders (all live indoors, although we're looking into getting a cat run). One of these queens is mine personally (Espeon), and one of the spayed girls (Eevee, the mother of Espeon). They roam the house during the day and sleep in my room at night. Anyway, recently Espeon had a complication in a litter of 4, with only one darling little boy alive at the end of the week. As she was low on milk I needed to hand feed the little guy every few hours day and night. I'm sure breeders here understand both the pain of lack of sleep (on top of work and university) and the attachment you can't help but develop, especially as he was the only kitten. He died at 3 weeks (very near the time I would consider him through the hardest stage) and of course I was distraught, even though it shouldn't have been overly unexpected.

Anyway, at this stage I've decided to spay Espeon. I don't think I can handle that sort of emotional strain, on top of lack of sleep, combined with the stress of studying medicine. I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow, and I'm very much looking forward to her recovery from the strain of near constant calling and a difficult litter.
It's been a hard decision for me, but on the bright side, my main problem with getting a ferret is now gone (I was concerned about having a ferret and new-born kittens in close proximity). 
I'm keeping Espeon (and Eevee of course), but with the removal of breeding, I  would like to add a ferret to the family. Whilst I won't have time to be waking up every couple of hours to hand feed baby kittens, I will have many hours in the afternoons/evenings to spend time with a ferret (and my cats). 

So! I have a few questions I'd like to ask some experienced ferret owners, mainly about how a young ferret might get along with my cats (only my 2, as I'd be keeping the ferret addition to the family in my bedroom).
Also, I am curious about the whole prey diet! I was wondering if there have been any scientific articles discussing this that somebody could link me to, I'd love to read up on it some more. ^_^

Furthermore, I've been looking into getting a ferret, but finding it very difficult to find a breeder here! Does anybody know much about breeders in Australia (particularly WA)? I'm a little concerned about the gene pool here, as I've heard it's quite limited (and obviously as a genetics major I can't help but worry about this). And, as I'd be a first-time ferret owner, is it likely that even if I could find a breeder if I'd be considered. 
Does anybody have any advice I could follow regarding looking into breeders in Australia?

Thanks for reading, and sorry it's so long!!
Vorn

(my cats are in my avatar; Eevee and Espeon (as a kitten), as I'm not a ferrant yet ;-

[Sherry]

Hi and welcome Please feel free to browse, post, ask questions, and join conversations. And thank you for doing your research PRIOR to getting a ferret! As for ferrets and cats- it is going to be individual. 2 of my oldest cats(18 and 20) want nothing to do with them. My 14 yr old considers a couple to be semi playmates, but that's it. One of the ferrets actively tries to hunt the cats, and if she can get them she tries to do whatever damage she can.
And yet I've seen pics of other ferrets and cats who are best buddies, cuddle and play regularly. As for a reputable breeder, the only one I know trying to improve the species there is Phaedra(she's on here as @phae ), however if you would consider a rescue as your first you have a much better idea what you are getting as well as getting one already litter trained(well- as much as a ferret is EVER completely box trained), as well as nip trained. Join this group on facebook, they are Australia oriented for the most part: www.facebook.com/groups/Ferretlove.Hunterferretcrew/

[Deleted]

Hello and welcome. Be prepared to learn a lot here.

[Heather]

Hi and welcome on board (wave)
I'm sorry that you had problems with your kitty litter. Such is the journey of breeding, for every joy there are severe costs. Ferrets are very difficult in comparison to cats or at least I've been led to believe. Cats being the simpler of the two.
Phae is your best bet for a good breeder in your general area. Considering the availability of ferrets, I'm surprised that you would want to breed at all. You could easily study just using the available kits. You have missed your season. Ferrets in Australia are all coming out of season. There is a method around but it's not healthy and has long reaching health issues to breed ferrets out of their natural season. It's not all lost, you could do your homework and see what is involved while waiting your possible kit which would be born next spring.
As far as getting along. I've had ferrets who've got along fine with kitties and others who...well ...not so much. I've posted a few pics of my guys and the kitties. Now the little sable who seems to be photographed the most was one special little boy who was the most amazing spokesfert in the world. Everyone was loved in his eyes. Human, dog, cat or ferret....He was never caged despite having a couple of different playgroups. He worked his way up the business from kit (and getting his butt kicked by uncles and aunts) to ruling with a firm but gentle paw.






Good luck. I hope we will continue to see you around. Genetics fascinates me and ferret genetics even more. There are enough health issues with ferrets that are caused by possible genetic failures that it's a very serious and interesting component of understanding what and how a ferret is what it is
ciao