FACT Policies & Practices

• We do not actively promote ferret ownership.

Ferrets, like other companion animals have their good, not so good, and poor qualities. The selection of a pet should be based upon the needs and demands of the owner and life-style balanced appropriately with the need and demands of the companion animal.
 

• FACT requires all potential adopters complete an application and requires an interview. . .

  . . .with the potential adopter, and if under the age of majority, with the adopter's parent or guardian. The application and interview process is designed to:
   

  • Facilitate an open and honest dialogue about the needs of a ferret and the expectations of a new ferret owner;
  • Help ensure that there is a family commitment to the special needs and requirements of a ferret;
  • Aid in helping the shelter identify which animals in the shelter may be the most appropriate match;
  • Provide the opportunity to offer reliable, unbiased information and clarify misconceptions about ferrets and their care - whether the potential adopter is a new or seasoned ferret owner.
     
• Existing ferrets within a household should participate in the adoption process to minimize future problems.
   
• Every ferret deserves the appropriate home not just any home.

To that end we will not place any ferret which has not been evaluated for temperament, potential behavioral issues, as well as health. It is a general practice to hold new ferrets a minimum of two weeks in the shelter before making him/her available for adoption. Further it is a general practice to require that the ferret be adopted into a stable home environment. FACT reserves the right to refuse to adopt to anyone for any cause.

• We discourage "collecting" and urge moderation in the number of ferrets owned.

There are a dedicated few who can provide all the care and attention each individual animal requires. In most situations, however, even while attention can be provided, experience in the animal welfare community has demonstrated that the greater the number of animals (irrespective of species), the greater the risk of eventual abandonment due to emotional risk and the financial burden of their maintenance and health care.

• Owners are responsible for placing their pet. FACT will act:
   
  • First, as a supportive resource to help an owner successfully place their pet, and
  • Lastly, as a shelter for an animal that can not be placed.
     
• We support the establishment of other non-profit ferret shelters . . .

.  . . and will lend encouragement, information and moral support to whomever seriously attempts to establish a ferret shelter. We will share the same level of information and support to anyone establishing a shelter irrespective of species.

It is not easy to create, finance and operate an animal shelter. However, it is in the interest of all companion animals and their caretakers to approach the establishment of a shelter as a business that needs to operate professionally and with integrity. As such, a potential shelter needs to consider all aspects of running a shelter, including finance, accounting, regulatory and legal concerns, operations, and customer as well as public relations, in short, all the disciplines required to run a business.

• We strongly discourage breeding ferrets except by properly educated and responsible breeders.

FACT will not support a shelter that engages in breeding ferrets. While many breeders perform valuable rescue services and are an asset to the ferret community, we believe it is a conflict of interest for a shelter to engage in breeding. At the least a responsible breeder should provide that any animal they have bred be returned if the buyer can no longer keep or maintain. 

One example of what we believe is irresponsible breeding is the development of overly large; deaf;  or, more recently, "angora" or "long-haired" ferrets.

Genetically, increased size (or selection for any specific trait) should develop cautiously and slowly. Humans do not have a stellar track record for selective, usually cosmetic breeding. Increased physical size externally does not ensure that internal organs (heart and lungs particularly) have increased proportionately in size to accommodate increased physiological demands. Unfortunately we have seen large (although very attractive and lovable) ferrets tire far too quickly and who are incapable of holding their own with ferrets twice their age.

Very frequently the "badger" or "white-headed" ferret is born deaf. Wardenburg syndrome is a genetic defect characterized by closely spaced eyes and a white-badger like marking on the head. More than 75% of ferrets with these characteristics are deaf. While a deaf ferret can be a delightful companion, all too often the lack of knowledge of the defect causes afflicted animals undue pain, suffering and abandonment when lack of hearing is interpreted as lack of "intelligence" or ability to listen or learn. (Consider the tribulations of children with undiagnosed vision or hearing dysfunction). Yet we have seen breeders who actively breed ferrets with Wardenburg syndrome or who have other genectic defects of unknown origin.

In the case of long-haired ferrets, a serious concern exists that these animals cannot deal with the grooming requirements of long, fine fur. Ferrets groom themselves and, more frequently, groom their companions. However, ferrets lack the natural ability to regurgitate the "fur-balls" that subsequently develop. Few owners regularly provide their ferrets with Petromalt or a similar substance during shedding seasons. For owners unaware of the special grooming demands of a long-haired animal incapable of safely grooming itself, the risk of intestinal blockages resulting in death or preventable owner expense is completely unacceptable. Ferrets are cute, desirable and fun without long, silky, potentially self-destructive fur.

• Ferrets should not be physically forced to perform or entertain either in the home or at ferret shows.

Their participation in a particular "game" should be voluntary. FACT considers "games" that utilize ferrets as instruments as cruel and unacceptable.