Splitting up rescue ferrets

[AmyJean]

I just got three female ferrets from a shelter.  I am looking to rehome them to great homes. My question is would it be horrible to split them up as long as they were going to homes with other ferrets? I have two pet ferrets that I can introduce the last one too.  I have a woman who would like two and I am not sure it is in the best interest of the girls.  Thanks for your help.

[nakedrats]

You'd have to see how they relate to each other.  Some ferrets do bond with each other and they can get really depressed and stop eating after losing their bondmate.  Others do just fine and can be tossed in with any group of ferrets and make new friends.  Check on the ferrets to see if they always sleep together in one big pile or if they will sometimes split up.  Bondmates tend to hang out together and sleep together.  Sending the pair home and having a single hanging out in the cage by himself is a really bad idea.  Try introducing the would-be single to your own ferrets before you adopt out the pair to make sure it is ok without the other two around.  If he jumps right in with all four feet and has a great time with your fuzzies, than he probably will do just peachy joining the new group in his adoptive home.  If he flips out or gets really depressed, then you'll know to keep them as a threesome.

[Mis4Monopoly]

She's right, it really depends on the individual ferret. Some bond very strongly to one another, and would be devestated if split up. Others make friends quickly, and don't mind being adopted into a differen't family of ferrets. You'll have to kind of do a trial or something and see how they handle being split up.