Last Updated on 02/08/2021 by Veronica Jones
Ferrets are one of the most adorable little creatures out there. If you don’t know where to find a ferret for sale or where to buy one (or adopt one), we’ve written this article just for you.
Like most pet animals, many of these furry creatures do end up in shelters if their owners can’t commit to them anymore.
Some of them also get into shelters if they were rescued from the wild or the streets and need a lot of medical attention.
However, there are also breeders for those who want to start from babies when raising a ferret on their own.
Whether you want to go for a breeder or want to adopt from a shelter instead, there are many options just for you.
The average cost of a ferret
If you want to have a ferret as a pet, you should expect a price range between $100 and $500 depending on various factors.
For instance, a hybrid or an angora ferret might cost more than a regular type. Of course, breeders might also charge you differently depending on where they live and how reputable they are.
Moreover, if you do buy from companies such as Petco, they will usually charge $150 or so. Beginners at keeping pets usually go for such companies because they cost less than when buying from a private breeder.
Where to find a ferret
Finding your ferret depends on your decision. Do you want to adopt from shelters, or do you want to start with a baby ferret?
Do you also want to try Petco’s selection of ferrets? It’s up to you – we’ve listed below these three sources, so you’ll know which one suits you best:
Breeders
When you buy from a private breeder, it is typically more expensive because they have better living conditions than those in pet stores.
They will even provide you with health certificates and such. Moreover, many of them have unique breeds that you can’t easily obtain from the store.
With that said, here’s what to keep in mind if you do want to get from a breeder:
Private breeders do charge more than store-bought pets
As mentioned above, ferrets that are bought from breeders typically have a higher price range.
They commonly convince you that they offer better living quarters, organic food to their pets, and the necessary health certificates for the ferret if requested.
The additional expense is also expected if the ferret is one of the crossbred types or those with unique breeds that are not often seen in your local pet store.
They will provide you with health evidence
If you want to be more meticulous about getting a pet, you’ll need to know the complete history of the ferret you want to buy.
Most private breeders have complete checkups for the ferret and their parents to let you know their health history, which will put you at ease. This is also why they charge far pricier than standard breeders.
Keeping a pet can sometimes be difficult if you don’t know the history in terms of health.
If you already know the ferret’s medical history, which may include allergies and high susceptibility to certain diseases, you can prepare for the worst by giving the right kind of food and physical activities to your pet.
Breeders are the best if you’re looking for specific breeds or colors
If there’s a specific color or type you like to have in buying a ferret, you’ll have more luck with a private breeder.
They’ll even take requests to breed your specific preferences, but it will take time, of course, and money. Nonetheless, breeders are the best choice for having a certain ferret color that’s not easily seen in the store.
A private breeder usually has more comfortable living quarters
Contrary to a stuffy pet store that somewhat looks like a cramped zoo, a private breeder is usually a less stressful environment for pets.
This is why many pet owners swear by private breeders if they seriously want a quality breed that has sufficient food, shelter, and medical attention from the owner.
Generally speaking, if you buy a ferret from a breeder, there’s a big chance that they will live longer, even if you are a novice at taking care of such pets.
That’s because they’ve been raising it properly and keeping it healthy with the right nutrients.
Make sure the breeder is well-trusted – ask all questions necessary
Although we mentioned how breeders (and all pet breeders in general) are great places to get a quality pet, you should still know your rights as a future pet owner.
Ask everything there is to know about the breeder and the pet. Arrange for a meeting and visit the living quarters of the ferret that you want to buy (and meet the parents, if possible).
Do ask for health certificates to help you understand better what needs to be addressed in terms of the ferret’s medical conditions (if any).
Be ready for the responsibility
Since you’re most likely adopting a baby ferret if you’re going for a breeder, you have to prepare yourself for responsibility.
Handling youngsters is different from handling adults since you still need to tame them and develop their personalities while also keep them nourished to maintain their health.
Adopt from Shelters
Many celebrities and pet enthusiasts strongly advise people to adopt from shelters because they have a plethora of benefits not just for you but also for the pet and the world.
We’re still not discouraging making a deal with a breeder, but here’s why adopting from a shelter or rescue is usually a better decision:
You rescue pets from cruelty
Thousands to millions of pets end up in unfavorable living conditions because many people aren’t very educated about animal cruelty. They think that animals are just toys and invaluable compared to human lives.
Rather than argue with these people, we should just do our part and rescue these pets from such cruelty by adopting them from shelters.
These shelters do the rescuing for us, and all we need is to take these pets to a well-deserved home.
Adult pets don’t need to be housetrained
If you’re the kind of pet owner who doesn’t want to go through the baby animal phase, adoption is the best choice for you.
This also goes the same for people who are new to keeping pets because having to train a baby ferret is like training a puppy or a kitten, which is very time-consuming and needs a lot of patience.
Since most pets rescued by a shelter have been grown up, you won’t have to deal with obedience problems.
Animal shelters have low adoption fees
When you compare getting from a breeder and adopting a shelter, you’ll spend fewer bucks for the second option.
That’s because animal shelters are non-profit organizations and are usually part of your local or national government’s movement to lessen animal cruelty and to improve the welfare of pets.
They have well-trained and responsible staff
When you do buy from a shelter, your ferret has been in good hands.
Many shelters worldwide have well-trained and responsible staff, unlike those that keep their animals in massive pet mills with staff who don’t know much about taking care of such pets.
Many shelter workers are approachable, and you can ask them questions if you’re new to buying and/or taking care of a ferret.
Petco
If you live near a local Petco, you can also try buying from them. With this option, you’ll need to spend only around $150 per adult ferret.
Adopting Adults vs. Baby Ferrets
Many people debate keeping adult ferrets versus babies. They surely have advantages over the other, but for us, it is all a matter of preference. Here’s what to expect for either ferret:
Adult Ferrets
If you decide to adopt from a shelter, you’ll likely get an adult ferret. One advantage is that you don’t need to spend a lot of time training them.
Adopting an adult ferret is the best choice for people with busy lives or if you’re new to keeping pets in general.
Adult ferrets have already received the necessary training, so you don’t need to do much other than take care of them properly, feed them with the right food, etc.
The only downside to adopting an adult ferret is that some of them might not have a personality that will vibe with you.
Not all pets were raised equally, and some may have a specific personality or temperament that may either click or not click with your lifestyle.
If you decide to keep an adult ferret, you should still expect to devote some training time to get to know them personally. About 4 to 6 hours of daily training can be done to lessen their behavior problems, if any.
Baby Ferrets
Getting a baby ferret instead of an adult one is ideal for experienced pet owners or those who have plenty of time on their hands.
That’s because they require hours to weeks of training and a lot of dedication. This is not for the person who lacks time and patience.
The reward of raising ferrets since they were babies (plus super hard work) is that they will be so you in personality. Consequently, it’s such a piece of cake to adapt to them when they grow up.
Because you’re the one behind their training, you won’t have to do the guesswork on which kind of activities or food they’d prefer the best, unlike when adopting an adult with a history you don’t know much about.
Best place to find a ferret
We think that shelters are the best choice because ferrets, like all other animals that end up in rescues, deserve a chance.
You’ve probably heard it from an animal rights enthusiast: “our pets can’t make decisions on their own, so we have to decide for them.”
They don’t have a choice, but we do, so we should take the initiative and help them out.
By supporting shelters and adopting a ferret from them, you lessen the likelihood of these pets ending up in some washed-up place with unfavorable circumstances such as lack of food, proper shelter, and even animal cruelty (hopefully not).
If you have local shelters or pet organizations, ask if they also put ferrets for adoption and find the one you think suits you best.
You can talk to them about the history of the pet as well as ask for pointers on how to raise them properly.
How many ferrets should I own?
First, ask yourself: do I have enough time to train my ferret? If so, we recommend at least 1 to 2 ferrets, much like keeping a pair of birds.
Having a company is often beneficial for naturally elusive pets, so they’ll have less anxiety during their stay in human territory.
If you’d like to have more, make sure that you have a lot of room for them to roam around and that you have plenty of time to devote to their training. Disciplining ferrets can be a handful due to their biting problems.
Anything else I need before I take my ferret home?
Now that you’ve chosen which place you’d like to get your ferret from, here’s a checklist of what else you need before you take them home:
- A spacious cage
- Ferret food, including treats
- Litter box with litter
- Tunnels and bedding
- Bowl for food and water
Conclusion
In the long run, it’s all a matter of personal preference whether you go to a breeder, adopt from a shelter, or buy from the store.
What matters, in the end, is that you take good care of your ferret by understanding its needs.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help from online guides, other pet owners, or your vet to raise or train your little furry friend.