Ferret adoption is a great alternative to buying a ferret at the pet store. You can adopt a ferret from a shelter, or find a ferret owner who put up his ferret for adoption. There are several benefits. Ive listed the 10 most important ones below.
Some ferrets may exhibit behavior that you dont want. Some are jumpers. Some are climbers. Most of them are diggers (watch out plants). Youll know beforehand what to look out for and what you can expect.
Ferret adoption can assure you take home a fuzzy that fits your personality and lifestyle. Every fuzzbutt has his own special character traits. A shelter can help you choose a ferret that fits your expectations. This is also good to know if youre adding him to a family of other pets.
Females are considerably smaller than males. But even ferrets from the same gender can differ significantly in size and weight. Both my ferrets are from the same breeder and differ only a week in age. Yet Stitch is quite a bit smaller and lighter than Nibbler (which is why I sometimes call him Fatty McFat or Fatso, good thing he doesnt understand me ;-)) So if you have a preference for a smaller or larger ferret, you can choose one thats already reached his adult weight and size.
Ferrets come in different colors and patterns. Which can change quite drastically the first 6 months of their lives. If you want to know exactly what your fuzzie will look like you can adopt a ferret that has his adult color and pattern.
Ferret adoption from a shelter is usually cheaper than getting one at a pet store. What's more, youll know the ferret received all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary treatment needed. Not all pet stores are that honest when it comes to selling an animal with a clean bill of health.
Most shelters put a lot of time and effort in training or reconditioning the ferrets they receive and put up for adoption. Especially for first-time ferret owners this is a big bonus. Teaching your fuzzie not to bite can be rather painful. And housetraining, wow, that can be quite challenging as well depending on your ferret.
Some shelters offer you a 30 day return policy. Now I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I feel that ferret adoption, or any other pet adoption, should be carefully thought through. You should have every intention to take care of the pet for life. On the other hand, if the fuzzbutt you just adopted fights with your other pets for example, returning him to the shelter where you got him is the best thing you can do for him.
Knowing you saved a cute little fuzzbutt will surely give you warm, fuzzy feelings for years to come.
The people at the shelter can provide you with valuable tips and advice. They care for ferrets 24/7 so they know what theyre talking about. Oh, and they wont try to sell you a $500 cage
Most shelters are run by people with big hearts who spend a huge amount of their own money on taking care of the ferrets. When you adopt a ferret from a shelter, the adoption fee is used to pay for vet bills, food, toys, bedding,
In other words, not only are you providing a happy home for one (or more) ferret(s), youre also helping all the other fuzzies still waiting for a new home.