Evaluating a Ferret Shelter/ Rescue

All reputable shelters have a screening process before adopting out to you to ensure you can provide for the ferret, as well as charge a nominal fee. The goal of the shelter is to find a final home for the ferret with the best parents possible. You should be prepared for an application to be completed, phone interviews, and even in-person meetings, before your adoption goes through.

Just like there are good and bad pet owners, breeders, pet stores, etc., the same is true for shelters. Before surrendering your ferret, or adopting a ferret, you should check out the shelter you're considering. Some questions to ask yourself which you should be able to answer yes to are:

• How many ferrets do they have waiting for adoption? Do they seem well over their limits?

• Are they knowledgeable about ferrets and all their requirements?

• Do they have a quarantine area for new ferrets until they are vaccinated and ADV tested?

• Do they test for ADV?

• Do they have records that the ferrets are up-to-date on vaccines and exams from their veterinarian?

• Are they willing to allow you to call their veterinarian for confirmation?

• Are the cages clean, ample food and water supplied?

• Are the cages not overcrowded, do they contain a litter box, bedding and hammocks?

• Is the area they're in clean (ie; walls, floors, etc)?

• Do they have a place to run around and play outside of the cage and is it clean?

• Are the the ferrets friendly and don't mind being handled?

• If they have personal ferrets, are they kept separate from the adoptable ferrets?

• Is parvocide used for cleaning cages?

• Do they use it on clothes and skin when they/visitors are touching animals they don't know the health status of yet and are gloves used when handling them?

If you encounter a shelter you are concerned about, you should discuss your concerns with them, other local shelters and/or ferret owners. They could just be experiencing an overwhelming number of surrenders/rescues, you might be visiting during routine choirs, etc. Your adoption experience should be one of joy in providing a needed and loving forever home.