etto! my family are considering becoming the local pet sitters. we all love animals and it would be so much fun any suggestions or advice???

also, i really really really want a pet ferret anyone have one, or have info on getting one for a pet? and how to take care of em properly...should i get a male or female....?

thanx
:0*

You want ferret advice? You've come to the right place.

Here's a link on getting a ferret, from the organization I used to volunteer with: Ottawa Ferret Association

And ferret Central's got a really good FAQ: Ferret Central

Those are the 2 best links that I can think of, and will offer most of the information you need.

I'm going to add quickly:

- you and your family should do all the research into getting a ferret. Make sure that your ferret(s) have a place to go when you move out.

- two ferrets are better than one. One ferret can get lonely if not given enough attention. Not to say that one couldn't be happy alone, but they very much enjoy having a playmate their own size. And it's strangely less trouble having two.

- males and females don't make a difference. Ferrets are active their whole lives, though some do tend to slow down around the age of 5 (the "elder" years). You want to make sure that your ferret is spayed/neutered (an un-spayed female over the age of 1 can be dangerous to her health if she's not breeding) and descented. The colour of the ferret is a personal preference, that doesn't make a difference either.

- before going to the local pet store, I'd like to encourage you and your family to try to find a rescue shelter. I don't know how common ferrets are in your area, but it doesn't hurt to try. You'd be able to find a more suitable ferret for you.

Anyway, if you have any other questions, don't hestitate to ask. I've got plenty of ferret experience, and if you're patient, they're absolutely wonderful.

Disinterested and my ferrets. :woot:

Man those ferrets are pimpin.

And I'd also like to add that ferrets are NOT good with litter boxes, despite what people may try to tell you. If you wanted to litter train them, it would take a long time, and depending on how well they respond, you can acheive a 90% hit rate at best.

They do much better with papers. Just lay some newspapers in the corners and they'll usually go there no problem. But for some reason, most of them just push the litter box out of the way. But they use the litter box in the cage because it's in such a small area.

And if they can't get into a certain area, expect them to poop there. I just had to clean a poopie in front of my bedroom door, because someone was upset that they couldn't get in.

man i really wanna ferret. they are so cool. i wish i could have one....are they good pets?

The don't even go in the litter box in their cage much. One of them will push the box out the way and sh** on the floor beside the box. For the hell of it.

Did you not read my post at all?

i only read like the first half. sorry. i dont read posts that are too long most of the time.

Why did you ask if you're not interested in reading?

LIV asked pretty much the same thing, and a long, detailed post would most likely be some form of an answer.

well usualy i will read a long post if its directed at me. you know, with all of the time i wasted, i probably could have read it by now.

Probably, eh?

thanx for the info Dissy id really love a ferret, even better, ferrets!! now i just gotta find out where i can get one, not very common here in ireland unfortunately

but i will get one!!
thanx

anyone ever try petsitting before??

No problem.

Just MAKE SURE you read those links FIRST, and show them to your WHOLE family. I cannot stress that enough.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me. Even if I don't know the answer, I definitely know someone who would.

hey where did ya get the cute ferret in your siggy??

Dis are ferrets fine to lay with and stuff like that?

If they're sleepy, they may cuddle up with you. But their affection is mainly shown by playing, not cuddlin.

If that's what you mean.

Yeah thats what I mean. Which is better a ferret or a dog or a cat?

Can't answer that.
I love all of those animals, for different reasons. They're all very different and it really depends on your own tastes and what you're looking for.

Good answer!!!

And LIV: http://members.rogers.com/mdhertrich/graphics.html

Are ferrets always upbeat? Id hate to get a depressed ferret.

The only time I ever saw a depressed ferret was when 2 of mine died in the same couple of weeks. They know when something's wrong.

But if they're treated properly, you'll get a very happy and lively ferret.

They were so depressed for awhile. But eventually they got over it. They're happy now.

I think I will be getting a ferret. Or should I get two?

TWO!!! If you can. The only time I ever find getting just one ferret acceptable is if it's an old one, and you can't introduce it to another ferret.

They love having playmates, it's not much more trouble, but it is a little more poop to clean, and it'll cost a little more in vet bills.

Did you look at the links I provided in the second post of this thread?

I am reading and im wondering about ferret proofing a room.What does this mean?

Read this thoroughly.

Ferret Proofing

Ferrets can get into the tiniest holes: Behind the fridge for example. And that can seriously hurt them. You need to cover all holes and make sure they can't get anywhere that could be dangerous for them.

There's a lot of things that people forget about too: they can dig at the lining under your couch or bed, and get caught in the springs, get into cupboards, they dig up plants, and I've even heard of ferrets getting into the heating ducts.

Curiousity Killed the Ferret.

What about Ferrets and cats? Can they coexist?

They can, but it is better to introduce them when they're both very young.

Even if they're older it can still work, but personally I wouldn't ever leave the ferrets and cat unsupervised. But you'd be surprised at how much a ferret can torture a cat. I tried it once, and they bit my poor cat's ears and tried dragging her across the room.

You'd have to integrate them slowly.

I have a grate in my room that has holes in it about a nickel big. Is that safe fora ferret?

I don't know. What's a grate?

Oh, and I just found this link. It's helpful.

Ferret Do's and Don't's

Something like that.

It looks ok. The holes look really small.

The general rule is "If the head fits, the body can follow." And I've never seen this rule proven wrong. I've seen them fit in things as small as a quarter.... but if it's literally the size of a nickel, you should be ok.

Worse comes to worse though, you can always try to put something like chicken wire over it.

when a cat and ferret live together, whos more a danger to who??

now i want a ferret someone told me they were illegal but then again, that heppened years ago

ferrets illegal???

what? why? lol

I really doubt that.

They are in New York City.

And in the state of California.

In my experience, ferrets torture the cats..... follow them around, bite their ears and pull on them.... but if your cat is aggressive, it can be dangerous to your ferret. They shouldn't ever be left alone together though, no matter what.