Ferret Rescue

The need and reasons for ferret rescue are numerous. Sometimes a ferret will get away from its owner and escape into the wild (or a city). This can be an extremely stressful situation for both the pet and the owner. But an even sadder situation is when owners deliberately release their domesticated ferret into the wild because they are no longer willing or able to care for them. They think that their ferret will be able to survive on its own, but this is rarely the case.

Reporting Your Lost Pet to a Ferret Rescue Agency

If your ferret has accidentally escaped from your home, there are several ways you can try to find it.

  • Search all the places inside and outside of your home that you think it might like to hide
  • Advise the local ferret rescue agency and pet shelter (supplying a picture or description would be helpful)
  • Put an ad in your local newspaper and even offer a reward
  • Contact the vets in your area to see if anyone has brought in a stray or injured ferret
  • Post flyers around your neighborhood with a picture of your missing pet and a way to contact you if they’ve seen or found it

Adopting from a Ferret Rescue Shelter

Most ferret rescue shelters are only too happy to have a suitable family adopt one of these lovable little creatures. However, that doesn’t mean that anyone can adopt a rescued ferret. There is always an application process and it can sometimes be quite extensive.

You’ll need to prove that you understand the needs of a ferret and are willing and able to meet those needs.

You can also expect to pay an adoption fee. Such fees will vary from shelter to shelter but plan to pay around $75 to $100. These fees help to support the shelter so they can continue helping lost or unwanted animals.

Ferret Rescue Agencies and Shelters

There are many agencies and shelters dedicated to ferret rescue. Some good resources are The American Ferret Association’s Shelter List and FML Shelter List for information in the United States.

There are also several ferret rescue shelters in the UK, Canada, Australia and lots of other countries. To find one near you, try an Internet search for “ferret rescue” in your area and you’re bound to see lots of resources.

Another place to look would be the Yellow Pages of your local phone book. The best section to look in would most likely be “Animal Shelters” if they don’t have a specific section for ferret shelters.

Should you surrender your ferret to a rescue shelter?

Sometimes circumstances may force you to give up your ferret pal. If you have made attempts to find a home for your fuzzy friend, but have been unable to do so, you should consider taking them to a shelter that can care for them and, hopefully, find them a new home.

Don’t release your ferret into the wild. They are domesticated pets and will be unable to fend for themselves. Doing this will only condemn them to a slow and lonely death.