Facts About Ferrets in the Shelter System

Facts About Ferrets in the Shelter System

1. Ferrets do not come to shelters because of behavior problems. Ferrets are surrendered to shelters for the same reasons as other pets. Owners may move to a new apartment where pets aren't allowed, experience a change in work schedule that doesn't leave enough time in the day to take good care of the ferret, or the most common reason: owners simply get tired of the ferret. Most times the ferret is a wonderful animal who simply wasn't wanted in the former home.

2. Most ferrets come to shelters already spayed or neutered. Michigan pet shops are required to sell and reputable shelters will only adopt out altered critters.

3. Ferrets are people oriented vs. person oriented Unlike dogs and cats, who may develop a relationship with only one human in life, ferrets are able to bond with many "nice hooman beans" over the course of their lifetime. While changing from home/to shelter/to new home can be stressful for some, most ferrets need only a short adjustment period to find happiness in a new home.

4. Ferrets are very social Not only do ferrets like people, but most enjoy the company of other ferrets, dogs and cats. Because of their rough style of play and perhaps a bit of instinct from the days of old when they were wild critters hunting for food, ferrets should not mingle with rodents, birds and other small critters.

5. Ferrets are adoptable at any age. Ferrets really don't get set in their ways. They do like to adopt a certain amount of routine in their home, but they do very well with change; in fact, because of their curious nature change is often a good thing! Ferrets remain playful and active throughout their entire life; they just need to nap more frequently as they age!

6. Ferrets are safe as pets. Trained properly, ferrets will not bite - even under extreme conditions. Baby ferrets must be taught what the boundaries are; once established a ferret is a safe household pet. Of course abused and severely neglected animals of all types can bite out of frustration and fear; a reputable shelter will a) work with these ferrets to rehabilitate them and b) never foist a ferret with a behavior problem on an unsuspecting new owner. According to statistics compiled by the New York Department of Health over a ten year period, you are 17 times more likely to be bitten by a human than a ferret!

7. Ferrets are not a rabies threat. IMRAB, to protect against rabies, was approved for use in ferrets in 1990 by the US Department of Agriculture. Vaccination for rabies is required by Michigan law, although the chances of a ferret contracting rabies are very small - there have in fact been only 13 documented cases of rabies in ferrets since 1958!

NEVER IN RECORDED U.S. HISTORY HAS A HUMAN CONTRACTED RABIES FROM A FERRET!

8. Ferrets are indoor pets. While ferrets may enjoy going outside for a walk or to play in the snow (always on a leash!), ferrets are indoor pets and should not be kept outside. Because ferrets are entirely domestic and housebound in this country, they do not constitute a stray animal problem. Plus, there are no colonies of feral domestic ferrets anywhere in the United Sates. The closest wild relative is the endangered North American Black-footed Ferret, a nocturnal mustelid which was once thought to be extinct and is currently severely endangered.

9. Ferrets are quiet and clean (we said clean - not tidy)! Ferrets do not bark, howl, scream, squeak or otherwise offend; rather they have an adorable chittering sound that usually gets louder with an increase in excitement level. Ferrets do not require lots of grooming; an owner need only trim nails and clean ears weekly, then give the occasional bath (no more than once a month). Ferrets do require reminders/remedial training to keep using a litter pan and many have been known to redecorate their cages with wild abandon and glee, but for the most part the small size of the ferret makes keeping simple for owners.

10. Ferrets do not stink. Ferrets smell like ferrets, just as dogs smell like dogs and cats smell like cats. Neutered ferrets do not have the heavy musky smell than an intact ferret will have. Properly kept (in a clean environment with proper food, litter and frequently washed bedding), ferrets have only a faint musky odor that many owners appreciate.