Looking for ferrets

[nakk]

I currently have never had a ferret. I would like 2, I have read up on them, and tried every reputable breeder I could find in the area.. Most just don't respond, one said they absolutely will not sell to a first time owner (despite still having ferrets from last year without a home) and to look at shelters. I did get a response from another breeder but realized after they live over 1,000 miles away and it is impractical getting them there.

I called around shelters but none of them seem to have any younger ferrets, only older ones. I really don't want to adopt a pet that is halfway or more through it's life already.. I'm also guessing many that end up at shelters are from a pet store as well.. which are much more prone to diseases like cancer later in life.

I am really just getting frustrated.

[sherik]

Older ferrets are sweet... I adopted a pair, one was older and one younger. But the old guy is just a sweetheart and dooks and hops and plays just like the young ones do. Second hand or third hand ferrets make the best pets. They seem to appreciate things more.

[Deleted]

An older ferret can often be the best choice for a new ferret owner. Yes, most of them probably came from a pet store, but that doesn't mean they won't live long or be amazing pets. Breeder ferrets are not without their own health issues. Marshall (mill for ferrets) ferrets have lived over 10 years. Genetics, diet (raw, whole prey), housing conditions (lighting) are all factors to be considered.

I would NOT recommend a breeder ferret for a first time buyer. Ferrets are difficult enough when they come from the mills (pet stores). And they are bred to be "docile" and calm. Breeder ferrets are stronger, faster, more intelligent and much more intuitive. They will get into everything and that can end up really badly (blockages, injuries, etc).

If you are dead set on a baby, a pet store is probably your best bet.

[Heather]

I can understand your frustration but keep trying. I too, would suggest a rescue. No, you may not get really young ones (you never know, but they're often the first ones to get snapped up) but you can get a ferret who is gentle and already understands rules (as much as any ferret understands rules ;D) You can also try Craigslist and other free lists, it seems that there is always ferrets going up on there...depending where you are. I understand your desire for a breeder's ferret but I also understand the breeder's responsibility to her wee ones. If you've never had a ferret in house, starting out with a breeder's ferret might be more than you bargained for. Breeder's ferrets are often more of everything...more intelligent, stronger, bigger thus having a greater ability to manipulate, escape and get into trouble. I've known a number of people who've lived with farm ferrets and have decided to get a breeder's ferret only to find themselves overwhelmed by these little mischief makers. I'm not saying that you can't and wouldn't make a good home, I just know that a lot of breeders just won't risk placing their little ones into a home that has never had ferrets.
Good luck, keep trying perseverance is the name of the game.
ciao

[nakk]

Well half the reason I want ferrets as opposed to another pet is they are fairly active, playful, and interesting. I've had exotic pets that can be a bit needy at times, just never a ferret.

I'll probably give up and get a pet store one. Its just that I saw quite a few videos showing some of the conditions the breeder ferrets are under, health problems they can have later in life, etc and don't want to be supporting animal cruelty or end up with an unhealthy ferret. I'm amazed by how against "ferret mills" breeders are though, then basically force you to get a pet shop one while they have several without a home..

[lumene]

I personally don't discount pets because of age.

Ferrets in particular are prone to many things even as youngsters. If they make it to 7 years old or so without problems I consider that impressive, especially since humans seem to be intent on making them genetically unsound, and then feeding them crap...

Where I live, Marshalls are the only ferts available. My current ferret was going to be dumped in a park while I was waiting to hear back from a local rescue.

[Deleted]

Where are you located? There are lots of young adoptable pairs at the shelters near me! I'm in New Castle, PA. Our local shelter has a pair of ferrets under a year old, and lots of pairs younger then 3. You would have to fill out a application to the shelter.

Most breeders will not adopt to new ferret owners, with very good reason! Very few exceptions are made for first time owners. The breeders just want to assure they will be going to awesome forever homes, and that the new first time owner wont be overwhelmed. There is tons to learn for a first time owner with a "companion/pet store" ferret, and could even be alot more complicated/stressful for that new owner with a private bred as they are much more agile, smarter, stronger, and can get into more trouble then you can begin to imagine.

Plus especially if you wanted a jill, lots can go wrong if you dont know what your doing. Whole jills will die when in season if they are not either spayed, get a jill jab, V hob, or bred (good breeders not going to let just anyone have a breeding ferret and will be sold on spay/neuter contract so this is no option).

I do applaud you for not going right to the stores to buy the ferrets, and doing the right thing by going to shelters or a reputable breeder.


I say if you do get a private bred one, I'd go for a hob first so you dont have to worry about them when in season like you do the jills.

If your around my area message me and I can help direct you to a shelter, and maybe even a breeder that would possibly consider a first time owner given right circumstance.

[Deleted]

I am a first time ferrant. My older (14 mo) ferret taught me that ferrets are smarter than dogs and cats, but are different in their way of thinking, more interactive with their humans. Once you learn their bonding requirements, they are fun.
If you don't understand ferrets and start out with babies, it may not be as much fun, and more exasperating. Corrrect me, if necessary, on this wise and sagacious ferret owners, but baby ferrets can't tell you as much about what is ok for ferrets as grown ones can. The older ones are just as quick to understand your training as a young one. They can play full-on as soon as they get to know you too.
Another plus is when you change the diet you get to see the amazing difference in size and health. Your medium, average ferret gets this gorgeous coat and just grows very sleek and strong. It's cool.
You may've guessed, I'm biased.

[nakk]

I do actually live in PA. I haven't checked the shelters recently, had checked a few back in November and figured maybe the breeders would respond closer to spring, no luck on that. I plan to have the ferret spayed or neutered if it isn't already, I've read there is little to no personality difference between gender, and looks are the least of my concerns.. so I don't think it really matters which gender I get?

As I said I have done quite a bit of research and know that it is best for jill kits to wait until they develop a bit before spaying, but to have it done before the next breeding season. (Spring)

[Deleted]

Another note, my ferret Pixie (my first ferret) just turned 3, and she is super active still. Many would consider 3 middle aged, considering the average life-span of an American ferret from a mill is about 6-7. She plays and is so interactive and long, it just amazes me.

The better diet (like a raw, whole prey, commercial raw, etc) really helps to keep them active and healthy. Pixie was kibble fed for a year. I want to say that she is even MORE active now than she was at a year old on a kibble diet. The raw meat provides them with energy derived from fats instead of carbs, which eventually just lead to a crash. Feeding raw also helps to prevent insulinoma, one of the major diseases that ferrets die from. Adrenal is another big disease, and although the major link to that is early spay neuter and probably genetics, lighting cycles (i.e having a natural light cycle and avoiding lights on at night) and diet definitely help.

[Deleted]

I rescued two ferrets from craigslist - both young - from two different owners - in good health - no fleas -both owners didn't have time for them anymore. They are Cocoa and Allie.

[Sherry]

I've gotten ferrets as kits from pet stores. I've gotten shelter ferrets. I've had one surrendered to me. Of all 10 that we've had, the sweetest, most playful, adorably affectionate(and smartest!) ferret was a 4- 4 1/2 year old who'd been surrendered back to a pet store.
Yes, she had some health problems- she was in early stage adrenal when we got her. We didn't realize what it was at the time, being new to ferrets, and she didn't get started on lupron for almost a year. We had her til she was almost 8 years old. And other than her having adrenal- I'd not change a minute of it
Kit's can be....difficult ;D Both my bad biters came from pet stores. One simply enjoyed chomping down on people and drawing blook(Lucrezia ), the other had been abused by the asst. manager Two other kits were older and unwanted. Personally, I prefer getting a ferret now between 1-3 years of age. All the biting and potty training issues have generally been dealt with already ;D
I will only get mine through rescue now, other than maybe a breeder baby some time down the road.

[Deleted]

I agree with what's been said as well. My newest ferret Howie is two years old and he's an absolute sweetheart. He's very calm, very sweet, but also playful and spunky. He is my "show-off" ferret. Any time someone wants to hold one of my ferrets, I just hand him off, because he's just THAT well behaved Definitely don't write the older ones off. Plus 2 or 3 really is NOT old. With a raw diet and proper preventative care, they can a long and healthy life. Plus ferret health is SO unpredictable, so a younger one could get health problems long before an older one. There's just no way to tell.

[Deleted]

Jan 15, 2012 23:53:27 GMT -5 @carpetsharks37 said:

Plus ferret health is SO unpredictable, so a younger one could get health problems long before an older one. There's just no way to tell.

A perfect example of this is Carpetshark's ferret Olivia who has mycoplasmosis (correct me if I'm wrong). You just never know what you'll get with any ferret, young or old.

[Sherry]

And then we lost our pet store ferret Vincent at four years of age just last month. It's though he had splenic lymphoma We had him for the same amount of time we had our older ferret Sinnead.