I have enjoyed the debate on "should shelters be breeding ferrets".  I think
it has been lively and opened up new thoughts for many ferret owners, though
I doubt it will change things with faulty breeders and rescues.
 
As a former ferret breeder, and "reorganized" ferret placement service, I
thought some of you might be interested in my thoughts.  Let me explain my
"qualifications" first.  I was owned by my first ferret in 1985.  I started
ferret rescue by taking in unwanted and ill ferrets into my home in 1988.  I
also started breeding that year with the arrival of a pregnant jill.  I HAD
to learn.  I have taken in at least 4 jills already heavy with kits in my
shelter career.  I was also the FIRST to import German ferrets in an effort
to breed a more open blood line.  That was in 1992.  I stopped breeding last
year and closed my lines in my household.  I also stopped taking ferrets
into my home as a "full service" rescue - I now assist people to place their
own ferrets by prescreening adopters and matching up ferrets with homes.
 
What makes a good shelter? breeder? owner?:  Does every ferret get handled
EVERY day, and some exercise outside the cage on a regular basis?  Does
every ferret over 6 months of age get altered if it is not being used for an
in house breeding program?  Does every ferret get distemper and rabies shots
(which means being seen by a vet), not just the show ferrets?  Are all the
ferrets seen by a vet as soon as a health issue arises - whether money is
available or not, no matter what their age is?  Do the breeding ferrets all
have at least three generations of blood line with no repeats in family
lines?  Do you have a retirement plan for older breeders, rescues, & pets
for the rest of their lives?  Are all the ferrets without health defects
(cancer, heart, vision, etc.) and if not, altered along with all the related
blood line so they can not pass on poor genes?  Do you follow up with a
phone call or letter to find out how your former ferret is doing - or if you
are the new owner, have you let the shelter / breeder know about any
problems, even years down the line?
 
As a breeder, I was charging $150 per kit, with the spay/neuter to be done
by 6 months by my vet or a "credit" of $50 to their vet bill.  For the
shelter ferrets, I charged $50 on average, already altered.  I discouraged
the purchase of kits for first time ferret owners.  I remember having one
of my kits coming back to me, and I did reclaim one of my ferrets from a
breeder who was out of control.  I did take back rescues on a
several-times-a-year basis.  I probably was a lot pickier on who adopted my
kits than who took a shelter ferret - my philosophy was that first time
ferret owners needed to experience ferrets, and the shelter system was the
best way because I would refund the adoption fee for 30 days.  I always
took back a ferret, no matter how long they were gone.
 
I now have 13 ferrets, half of them have health issues and I feel it is
time I gave them all of my attention.  Some won't be with me all that much
longer.  I am really enjoying having less ferrets to deal with, and I'm
enjoying the bonding that only comes with more one-to-one interactions.  I
used to say "You can never have too many ferrets." I know that not to be
true.  The perfect number of ferrets; I used to say three.  Now, my goal is
to get down to one large group of ferrets that all get along and we all
have a good time together.  I've got five youngsters in a Midwest cage and
if any more ferrets join my household, they will have to join that crowd.
 
I've dragged on long enough, but if you care about ferrets, stop if you are
doing something for yourself and look at the process from the ferret's point
of view - in other words - WOULD YOU WANT TO LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD IF YOU
WERE A FERRET?
 
Pam
[Posted in FML issue 2320]