Breeders in Western Australia

[Deleted]

Hi there :3

I live in Perth, and I'm on the lookout for breeders in Western Australia, or even breeders who would send a ferret kit from other areas of Australia over to here. I've had a lot of trouble with finding breeders in this area, and am a little concerned about the gene pool over here (I've heard it's quite limited). Any information anybody could give me about this would be much appreciated! 

I don't really want to subject a kit to the stress of transport, but I really would like a kit with a bit of genetic variance in her line. 
I'm also a bit concerned I may have missed the breeding season this year/late last year, or be reaching the end of the time period kits may be available. I'm not at all adverse to waiting for the perfect addition to the family, but I would prefer to begin training/bonding before next year (I'll be a little bit more busy then and want to get settled this year).

(I've introduced myself here on the welcome forum if you'd like to know more about me.)

Thanks for taking the time to help

Here is a cute photo of one of our recent burmese litters, as I'm not yet a ferrant and have no adorable ferret photos. ^^;

[Thérèse]

Remember that in Aus, we do not have ferret mills, so most of our ferrets haven't had the genetic deterioration that is probable in the US/Canada. So genetic lineage is of less concern, better to just look for a breeder who takes good care of their ferrets than looking for someone with a documented breeding history. Just my 2 cents worth. Also WAFFS will have ferrets that have been found or surrendered available for adoption. And yes breeding season is pretty much done but you may find youngsters that were late in the breeding season and had breeders that kept them a bit longer to allow them to have that bit longer with mum or else those that are still essentially kits but the impulse buyers have decided are not for them will now be looking for homes.

Having said all that I do often consider that a kit isn't the best first ferret. My first ferret I was told was 7 or 8 months old and I thought later when I had a kit that it was good he was a bit older so I was familiar with ferrets by the time I had a kit. Also having owned ferrets for quite a number of years now and having had experience with different ages, I suspect that my first ferret wasn't 8 or 9 months old but was actually 2 or 3 years old when I got him.

If you do want a ferret before next breeding season you are better getting one that is maybe a bit older (ie. a kit from this season that hasn't found it's true forever home yet) than one bred out of season. That is part of what the mills do (by using lighting to bring a jill in season anytime). I would consider a breeder breeding out of season would be far more likely to have suspect kits than worrying about what the gene pool is, here in Aus.