Ferret Shelters

Adoptions

Shelter/Adopted Ferrets

Behavior: Often come pre-trained, but may have behavior issues to to abuse, poor conditions/treatment from prior owners, shelter shock, and depression from potential separation of bonded pairs. May or may not get along with other ferrets. There is also potential to adopt a ferret who has been a “teddy-bear” (carried around and not allowed to play normally) or who has spent their life in a cage, and does not know how to play and must be retaught how to be a ferret.
Males: 
Females: Rescued females may need immediate vet attention if they are unaltered
Body structure: Varies based on original breeder (see other categories)
Personality/attitude: Sometimes bite-trained already though they may bite more in the beginning as they adapt to their new home and test boundaries. May be harder to reach and bond with, and may take longer to warm up to you. Often potty trained, though shelter shock, stress, and moving into a new territory may cause them to go outside of the litter box initially until they remember their manners. On the other hand, Some adopted ferrets may have a rough history causing serious behavior problems including biting. If you adopt from a known Ferret Shelter, the shelter parents can tell you about the ferret’s specific personalities and behavior. Some ferrets who have been adopted from shelters seem very appreciative of a stable, loving home with plenty of food, clean water and soft bedding and become very loving with their new owners.
Coloration: Varies
Health: Prone to shelter shock. Prone to insulinoma from poor diet from previous owner. Risk of ADV. Risk of previously undiagnosed/untreated adrenal disease.
Tattoo: Varies by original breeder (see other categories)
Fit Info: Adopting is always recommended to help save the life of a ferret and avoid supporting mill breeders. Adopting is a great idea if you want a ferret that is already litter and bite trained, and already matured (age), though babies can often be adopted too. They do run the risk of unknown health problems from previous diet and living conditions which may or may not be known. Adopting can be a very rewarding experience for both you and the ferret(s). Please try to adopt bonded pairs together rather than letting them be separated. If you adopt from a known Ferret Shelter, the shelter parents can tell you about the ferret’s personalities and if they would be a good fit for you.

Murry, a rescue, took to raw easily due to poor nutrition in his prior home. Photo: Shawnda

Ferret Shelters

Also try searching at: Ferret Shelters Directory and Dookerz on the Move

For ferrets in need of Emergency Rescue, try: Ferrets Dookin’ in the USA (Urgent/Emergent Rescue)

Please note that this is NOT a complete list. List sorted Alphabetically by country and state.

Australia:

 

Canada:

 

Europe (Non-UK):

 

UK:

 

Unites States

Alabama:

Alaska:

Arizona:

Arkansas:
California:

Colorado:

Connecticut:

Delaware:
Florida:

Georgia:

Hawaii: 

  • NOTE – IT IS CURRENTLY ILLEGAL TO OWN FERRETS IN HAWAII

Idaho:

Illinois:

Indiana:

Iowa:
Kansas:
Kentucky:
Louisiana:

Maine:
Maryland:
Massachusetts:

Michigan:
Minnesota:
Mississippi:
Missouri:

Montana:
Nebraska:
Nevada:

New Hampshire:

New Jersey:
New Mexico:
New York:

  • NOTE – IT IS CURRENTLY ILLEGAL TO OWN FERRETS IN NYC, NY

North Carolina:
North Dakota:
Ohio:

Oklahoma:

Oregon:

Pennsylvania:

Rhode Island:
South Carolina:
South Dakota:
Tennessee:

Texas:

Utah:
Vermont:

Virginia:
Washington:

West Virginia:
Wisconsin:

Wyoming: