My Soapbox:

If you are thinking about getting a ferret, please do your research.  Ferrets typically live to be about 6-7 years old.  They have some pretty ferret-specific illnesses as they age and you will need to have a hefty vet fund ready for such emergencies and illnesses.  There's a saying that "ferrets are like potato chips -- you can't stop at just one."  Keep this in mind as you become a ferret owner and make sure you know your limitations.  Two ferrets can quickly become 10 ferrets if you start "collecting" them.  While they are small and they are quiet, they do need 2-3 hours out of the cage daily to play with YOU.  They are highly social animals and get depressed, get sick, or develop bad habits if not played with daily.  If you don't have the time or lifestyle or funds to accommodate their needs -- do NOT get a ferret.   

While ferrets have grown rapidly in popularity since the 80s, we still have a long way to go with respect to educating the public, ferret owners, and veterinarians.  There are still many myths that follow ferrets -- they stink, they bite, they can kill wildlife and quickly become feral societies (the California Fish & Game believes this!!).  In addition, many veterinarians do not treat enough ferrets during the course of a year to warrant further medical training about the specific needs of the domestic ferret. As Dr. Bruce Williams says, "Ferrets are not dogs, nor are they cats." They have highly specialized nutritional needs and medical ailments, so please make sure you find a ferret-knowledgeable veterinarian. You never know when you may need one. (Keep in mind that vet fund.)

Education, education, education!

If you think you want a ferret, you can help by educating YOURSELF.  There are many good books available, especially Ferrets for Dummies.  There are many, many good websites pertaining to the ferret.  If, after you do your research, you are still convinced you would like a ferret, you can help by adopting from a shelter.  You can also help by educating the PUBLIC (more specifically, the every day  people you come in contact with) about these endearing little creatures.  As a ferret owner, you probably have run into people that do not know what a ferret is, and still believe the myths surrounding them. Inform those people in a very kind way the real truths about ferrets -- they are NOT rodents, they are domesticated, they eat kibble, they could not survive in the wild, there is a rabies vaccine specifically developed for ferrets, etc.  Additionally, you can help by educating your VETERINARIAN.  This may involve purchasing ferret-specific veterinarian books for his or her practice, or raising money to send him or her to a ferret-specific veterinary conference.  What about giving your vet a subscription to Ferrets Magazine?  Or, go on the Internet and subscribe to several good ferret newsletters for your vet's practice. 

How you can help:

It is SO important that you support your local ferret shelter.  Ferret shelters are unique in that they do not have huge budgets or big donors and lots of volunteers and paid staff.  They need your support!!  You can support them by volunteering your time -- and it doesn't have to be just scooping litter. If you call your local ferret mom or dad and ask, I'm sure they will have a list of things they need help with.  Most ferret shelter operators hold down full-time jobs and could use another hand, even if it's just stuffing envelopes, or getting a newsletter ready to be mailed. How about helping with the website, or filing, or making some phone calls, or if you're handy with a hammer -- what about some work around the shelter?   You could transport ferrets to the vets or deliver cages or run errands, or even schedule a time to go over and play with the ferrets in the shelter -- that would be a big help.  

Click here to watch a presentation on ferret shelters, done by Mike Janke. It does take a little while to upload on slow connections, but it's worth it!  

Shelter Needs:

Most shelters (including ours) can always use:    Arm & Hammer laundry detergent, Bounty paper towels (the others just don't stand up!), wood stove pellets, postage stamps, and, of course, actual money. We accept Paypal.  

OK, I'm getting off my soapbox now.....