toddl@LEUTHOLD.LANCASTER.PA.US
[Note: this was geared toward a teen or younger person...
but the "needs" are the same for anyone wanting a ferret...]
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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.
Things that you will need to check on would include (but not necessarily be limited to):
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. |
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| 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 helps 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. |
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| 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. |
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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
sign 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! toddl@LEUTHOLD.LANCASTER.PA.US http://leuthold.lancaster.pa.us/ |
First, do some research to see just how much it would cost you
to have a ferret.
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