Travelling with your ferret

Question
Hello Cindy =)

I was just wondering if you have any information or advice on travelling by plane with a ferret? i keep going back and forth between america and the UK (i stay 3 months in the US because my fiance lives there, then i come back to the UK for 3 - 4 months) my ferret lives with me at home in england, and i feel awful leaving her with my mother when im gone - id really like to take her with me.. i know the basics of taking your pet to another country and the requirements, i just wondered if you think it would be fairer leaving her with my mother (who does take good care of her when i'm gone) instead of putting her through the stress of bloodtests, possible quarentine and the flight itself.

thanks alot

Answer
Hello Amy,

In general ferrets adapt to travel very well, although you would know best  how well your ferret will fare.  Have you traveled with him before for any length of time?  How does he act during car rides?  Does he settle in well in his carrier or is he clawing and biting at the cage?  These  are the tings you have to ask yourself.  If he is a ferret that stresses easily, it would be best to leave him in the UK.  If he is a ferret that adapts well, it probably would not bother him much to visit the states with you.  For example, I have one ferret that freaks out when we travel, which is usually a 3 days (1500 mile) trip to visit my family over the holidays.  I have to keep his carrier in the back seat where he cannot see me or he will chew the bars of the cage until his mouth is bloody.  If I can avoid it, I do not travel with him, although there are times when it can't be avoided.  In those situations, I do what I can to keep him as calm as possible.  

The other thing to think about is the quarantine period (if there is one). It varies for different countries, and if it is relatively long it might not be worth taking him if he is in isolation half of the time.  I am unsure what the USA or UK's policy is for the quarantine, but it is something to consider.

It comes down to whether or not you think your ferret will get too stressed during the journey and if the quarantine is short enough for it to be worthwhile.

-Cindy P.