hi, i have run a ferretshelter/rescue since 1996 & have learned the hard
way, at first i was taking in ferrets any ferrets untill in 1998 i was so
full up with unwanted pets i had to call my local news paper for help.
 
i learned many lessons that first 2 years, now i take what i call genuine
rescues , ie ferrets found wandering, cruelty cases & ferrets needing re
location due to change in circumstances.
 
i have however seen a dramatic drop in phone calls wanting me to fetch
ferrets because there owner couldnt be bother to feed them any longer,
and also in the early days the show scene was much to blame, first time
ferrets owners aquiring ferrets from shows, although this is now very
much frowned upon & not tollerated by ferret show organisers, people
still turn up with a box with unwanted kits in it, and people buy them
not knowing anything of the ferrets background, if the root problem is
stamped out it should make life easier, but i have even noticed that
many one man band rescues adopt the same policy as my self, the decrease
in ad mag ferrets being offered for sale has reduced as hobby breeders
no longer bother to breed, as they have lost all the daft people who were
once willing to take all the kits left over , i have no problem with
breeding done properly & in controled conditions.
 
as many of the good breeders have people only to willing to offer a good
home to one of there saught after well breed ferrets,
[Posted in FML issue 4383]