Ferrets For Dummies, 2nd Edition
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Good ferret breeders should be pleasant, honest, and direct with you about the responsibilities of having a ferret as a pet. They don’t want to give their ferrets to just anybody. As you research ferret breeders, use this list as a guide for finding a good breeder:
  • Try to get references from people who’ve bought kits from the breeder, and be sure to check those references. If a breeder won’t give you references, beware.

  • If geographically feasible, travel to see the breeder’s facility to get a sense of how the ferrets are kept. Also, you don’t want to buy a ferret sight unseen!

  • Ask the breeder about his motivation for breeding ferrets. A good breeder might say that he or she is breeding ferrets to improve the species' temperament and health.

  • Ask the breeder about vaccination and vet schedules and any illnesses he has encountered with the ferret. Make sure, if you purchase a kit, that you get a written health guarantee from the breeder. An adoption (or purchase) contract should be available for you to see ahead of time.

  • A good breeder will offer after-sales support. Ask if the breeder is willing to chat with you when you call with a question regarding your newly purchased baby.

  • Ask about what happens if the ferret doesn’t work out for you. Will the breeder take the ferret back? A responsible breeder will do this.

About This Article

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About the book authors:

Kim Schilling is the founder of Animals for Awareness, a non-profit USDA licensed sanctuary dedicated to the needs of exotic and wild animals. When she discovered domesticated ferrets some 30 years ago, she never looked back. Kim wrote both previous editions of this book and has shared her home with as many as 20 ferrets at once.

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