Have you read through posts on the Ferret Village forum? It's a great place for ferret information.

Instead of asking what other people like, ask what you are looking for in a pet.  What are your expectations?  What type of interaction to you want with the pet?  How much effort do you want to have to put into cage cleaning.  Do you want an animal that gets a lOT of out of cage time?  Is there a veterinarian in your area that has experience with the type of pet you are interested in?  Are you prepared/able to spend $200-300 or even up to $1000 on a pet that needs surgery, xrays etc.

All small animals, just like cats and dogs, should be seen by a veterinarian yearly.  Some require vaccines and some do not.

What type of personality are you looking for in a pet?  What type of interaction are you looking for?  If you want a pet that you can cuddle and spend a lot of one on one time with, then a bird is definitely NOT for you.  If you want a pet that does not need a LOT of exercise and out of cage time and does not get themselves into mischief... then a ferret is NOT for you.

EARPS has care handouts and care cost sheets for all of the animals we adopt out.  If you are interested in learning more about any of the animals that you are considering, then PM me and I'll send you the info.

Once you know what you are looking for in a pet, other than physical appearance, then someone can help you find the right animal for you.  EARPS helps people find the right type of animal for them even if you don't adopt from us.  Our goal is to find permanent homes for critters in need where the critters AND humans are happy.  As long as you adopt and not purchase from a breeder or petstore (there are soooo many homeless critters out there), then that's great!

I'm looking for a very active pet who loves to cuddle. (the bird is more what my mom wants, tortoise is my last option)

I don't really mind high maitenence, but the vet thing might be a problem. We know a vet that we take our exotics (rats, snake) to. But my mom says 200, maybe 300 is enough for a small animal. She won't pay 1000 in a million years.

I am willing to adopt. I love the feeling you get when you give an animal a good home.

I can deal with some mischief (I have little sisters AND rats  ).

What do you  do with the stink factor?

What about boys vs. girls?

Single vs. Paired? Triplets?

Thanks so much for your comments.

P.S. We don't want to nueter ($), so boys OR girls.

not all ferrets like to cuddle.  they are a very very active animal, and lots of times they're simply too busy for more than a quick hug.  mine will let me snuggle them if i'm standing in the middle of the room, but the moment they can reach anything, they are scrambling to get down and play.  some people, though, do have cuddley ferrets.


you need to read a lot about ferret health issues.  there are a couple of major ones, that, depending on your vet, can be VERY expensive to deal with.  not to mention, routine shots and health checks.


ferrets have a musty smell to them.  cleaning their litter box(es) daily and washing their bedding regularly goes a long ways towards keeping their personal oder down.  a proper diet is another key factor.  a ferret fed a high quality diet (NOT crap like marshall's) smells infinitley less.


boys are larger.  sometimes girls are more active.  mostly it depends on the individual ferret.


ferrets don't HAVE to be kept in pairs/groups, but they usually are much happier with a companion.  not to mention how hillarious it is to watch a couple of ferrets run amok!

most ferrets sold in petstores or that end up in rescues come from a mass producer and are already alterred (at a much too young age). 

i still strongly reccomend joining ferret village.  also, the ferret for dummies book is a wonderfully informitive book.

Do you have a website for me that I can look at to find out about the health issues?

My mom doesn't have a problem with vaccinations. We will easily get them that.


So all pet store ones are alterred? I'm not aware with these ones, do boys "look" the same as rattie boys?  
I've signed up with Ferret Village, I'm waiting for the activation e-mail.  

I think I would like girls. But if I do have to alter them, I will get boys (cheaper to alter).

What about free-run of the house? Do they absolutely require it? If they do, that will turn my mom off (if we can get past the stink factor). Do they only poop in the litter box? Or do they pee in it too? Would they chew carpet? Ferret proofing? etc.

Does anyone have a list of the most common/serious diseases, allergies, etc.

What would I need in a first aid kit?

What should I take to the vet for?

P.S. Arlene, those sights were helpful, but I don't know exactly what I'm looking for to do more research on, so I was kind of lost. I'm looking more for a list...thanks a ton though.

I am doing a lot of research on ferret health issues and asking around on Ferret Village also.

I think that the fostering idea is a great one! How do I get in to stuff like that?

My mom wanted our rats, so she learned to deal with them. I'm hoping it will be the same with ferrets.

What about descenting? I've heard that helps with odor.

A little trouble is fine. Often a lot of trouble is fine. 

Like I said, we are ok with vaccinations and the occasional vet trip, but if we end up with a special needs ferret, we would have to let him go.
(I mean give it away. Maybe PTS in some situations, like a 1000 dollar surgery)

West Jordan, UT

oops, wrong button...

If you can't afford the adrenal surgery (that's the $500-1000 surgery, and adrenal disease hits about 50% of ferrets so you can realistically EXPECT to encounter it), then please don't get one expecting someone else to want it when it gets sick.  Many of the ferrets in the shelter I work with came in bald with advanced adrenal because someone got a ferret without being ready for what ferret ownership entailed and then nobody would take their sick and dying ferret but a rescue.  Please either get a post-surgical ferret (once the adrenal glands come out, that particular disease doesn't come back, but other diseases like insulinoma are fair game) or be a foster home.

I flat out can't afford to have a ferret either, that's why I don't OWN mine.  I have a permanent foster with a ferret rescue.  My Lunchbox is an unadoptable.  She's 4 years old, has beginning signs of adrenal disease and bites.  She had been in the shelter for 2 years and nobody wanted her, so the shelter director gave her to me as a permanent foster. This way the shelter helps to pay vet bills if I can't afford them myself.  It helps the shelter out by freeing up space for incoming adoptables and gives poor Luncher an actual home where she can get out more (there are just too many ferrets at the shelter for them to all get the out time they want, and she is an aggressive single ferret who will beat the tar out of anyone out with her.) 

It works out great with everyone. I get a ferret (maybe not the one I would have picked if I were adopting, but she's become my baby) when ordinarily I wouldn't be able to afford one, and ferret is happier because it's out of the shelter.  The shelter director is happy because she has a free cage, and she knows that Lunch will live out the rest of her days in a loving home rather than being stuck in the shelter. 

Most no-kill rescue organization have animals that for a variety of reasons are unadoptable.  They are too old, or they have medical or behavioral problems that make it highly unlikely that a potential adopter will pick this animal when a younger, healthier, better behaved animal is in the next cage over.  Let's face it, who goes to the pound and asks for a dog that bites people and pees in the house?  You may want to keep permanent foster in mind if you are interested in getting another pet, but are not sure of the long term investment.  Even going and talking to a ferret shelter director will help you sort things out.  They are full of great information and many would be happy to let you volunteer at the shelter to get an idea of what ferret ownership feels like.

hi guys, ummmm.... i was jsut wondering if that ferret village website is for in canada. If not do you guys know any forums with a lot of people in canada?