Hi, Sherri:
 
I read your letter in the FML and felt that maybe I should write.  First,
let me assure you that I'm not one of those "stuffy" parents that keep
trying to stiffle a kid's desires.  My daughter is allowed to bring up just
about anything she wants and it gets discussed honestly.  In many cases,
she gets to "try things out" to see how she will really do with them.
Thinking on this, I hit on an idea that maybe your family and you can work
with.
 
First, do some research to see just how much it would cost you to have a
ferret.  Things that you will need to check on would include (but not
necessarily be limited to) calling the vet and find out how much it would
cost to have a yearly exam, distemper shot, rabies shot and nail clippings.
Second, go to a good pet store and look up the prices of the following
things: IAMS Original Formula kitten/cat food (depending on the age of the
ferret).  Ferretone (vitamin and oil supplement).  Ferretvite (another
vitamin and mineral supplement).  Bandits Snacks (treat for your ferret).
Water bottle.  Food dish that can be attached to a cage.  A ferret cage
with plenty of room to roam around in while confined (like when you are at
school, eating, sleeping, etc.).  Ferret toys.  Hammock (for the ferret to
sleep in).  Sleep tube (someplace *else* for your ferret to sleep in...they
can become bored if they are only limited to one choice).  Ferret harness
and leash.  Hairball remedy.  Litter and litter box (hey...they gotta go
*some* place!)...actually, *several* litter boxes...ferrets tend to need
to go when the urge hits them.  The more litter boxes distributed in their
play area, the better the chances are that they will use one.
 
Of the items listed above, don't consider buying the smallest sizes.
Consider the largest sizes.  Ounce for ounce, the larger sizes are cheaper,
they last a LOT longer and you don't have to find someone to take you out
to buy more (lowering the chances of someone becoming upset with your pet,
as well as the inconvenience to them).  Of those items above, you will
constantly have to replace the treats (they don't normally come in
large-enough containers), litter and food.  Any bedding items will also
have to be washed on a regular basis (like once a week).  Hairball remedy
will last a bit longer than the food and litter, but if given properly,
will have to be replaced about once a month.
 
Next, a very important thing to remember when choosing things for a ferret,
is that the better quality items are not only better for them, but are
better for you.  Feeding a high-quality food such as IAMS kitten/cat food
will prevent problems with your ferret's health later in life.  It also
helps provide a smooth, strong and shiny coat, helps maintain good eyesight
and smell and provides maximum energy with the least amount of food.  It
also help cut down on the droppings in the litter box, since the ferret's
body metabolizes (uses productively) more of the food.  Getting the vitamin
and mineral supplements and giving your ferret a dose of these each day
assures a healthy and happy ferret.
 
Now, after getting all of these prices added up, look at the total.  If you
don't faint dead away, you might also want to consider what the cost of a
trip to the emergency pet clinic will cost.  Ferrets can be downright dumb
sometimes and try to do things like swallowing a marble, chewing on
styrofoam, eating the buttons off of the remote control, gnawing on a
washcloth or a stolen sock.  All of these things can cause a serious
blockage that could kill your ferret in just hours.
 
Now, once you've gotten all of these figures together and figured out that
you can actually afford them (provided you *can* afford them!), it's time
to think about a ferret.  Here is where you can help yourself, as well as
overcome any objections that your parents may have.  Ask around on the FML
for the location of a ferret rescue in your area.  If none are available,
then contact your local animal shelter and ask them to put you on the list
to "foster" any ferret that may be dropped off there.  When you foster a
ferret, it's on a temporary basis.  You must get all of the things that I
mentioned before and have them ready, if you are going to have your name
placed on a list.  That way, as soon as they call with a ferret available,
you can go immediately and pick it up.  If you happen to be lucky enough
to sigh up with a ferret shelter, you can also do something else to help
yourself and possibly get your family to recognize that you really do want
(and can care for) a ferret.  Volunteer to spend time at the shelter,
caring for the ferrets that they have there.  If you do this part first,
you can get all the experience you would ever need, in the care and loving
of ferrets.  If you do the volunteer part, you can also get to know the
various ferrets there and maybe take one home for a trial period.  By using
the trial period method, you can find out just how much you really are
prepared for a ferret, while also allowing your parents to see if they can
actually work with you on this.  If things work out, you may be able to
keep your prize!  :) If not, you can return the ferret and just keep
volunteering at the shelter.  This may not give you a ferret of your own,
but you can still be around ferrets a lot and share in their love and
companionship!
 
Hope this helps you in your cause!
 
Todd and the Fuzzbutt Rodeo Clowns!
 
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[Posted in FML issue 2967]