What is best for my ferrets?

Question
When I lived with my boyfriend, we had 5 ferrets and a dog.  A few weeks ago, my boyfriend moved out and took our dog with him.  I really missed having a dog around the house, so I got another dog not too long after we broke up.

I'm worried about my ferrets because since all of the change, I feel they have been somewhat neglected.  I have had to focus more on the dog lately, and the ferrets are still out every night to play, but the amount of human-contact they have had has decreased.

I love my ferrets and I've had some of them for almost 2 years.  I don't want to give them up, but I worry that they may be happier with someone who has more time for them.  I also tend to leave town more often - sometimes for a day or two.  My ex would always look after them if I left for the weekend, but now it's just me.

There is a ferret shelter that I've considered giving the up to, but the thought of it just makes me sad.  What's in the best interest of my ferrets?  I want them to be happy, and perhaps I just need to make a choice: to either make more time for them, or to give the up.

Thoughts?

Answer
Hi Danielle:

My answer is probably pretty controversial, but in my opinion IF you can give them up, you SHOULD give them up. Personally, I would die before I could give my ferrets...and that's the kind of mommy it takes to really give ferrets a good home. They require so much more attention and one on one time than a dog does.

Example....about a year ago there was a cat roaming our neighborhood that we brought in and since he was friendly with our ferrets, we kept him. Just about a year we had him and I really loved him...but not like I love my ferrets. While sitting in my vets officeone day I overheard two ladies talking about their cats and I could tell they loved their cats like I love my ferrets.One had just lost one of her cats and was wishing for a jet black cat (which is what I had) and as I continued to listen, I told her I had a cat that was up to date on shots, neutered, microchipped and a very well behaved inside cat. She couldn't believe I would consider giving him up when I showed her a picture of him.  I told her that I love my ferrets as if they were my own flesh and blood.....the cat, I felt was a pet.  I can't explain it any better than that, except that I felt the cat deserved the kind of love the ferrets enjoy. EVERY pet deserves to be loved that much. To have an animal at your house who isn't loved that much is more like holding them hostage, EVEN THO YOU DO LOVE THEM!  I did love him and I do understand that you love the ferrets too or you wouldn't even be concerned about what is best for them. I decided NOT to feel guilty, but to let this precious little cat go on and be loved - beloved - by this 'cat lady', because I am a 'ferret lady' and we all lived happily ever after.  

I call now and then to see how my precious little guy is doing and she is ever so thrilled with him in their home (yes, I did a home check before letting him go and their home was huge and more beautiful than ours! Boy, did he hit the jackpot!! :-)  

Simply put, you can be a 'dog lady' - it's okay.  Give yourself permission. It will free your guilt and it will allow the ferrets the opportunity to find a "ferret lady" to take them and love them for the rest of their lives.

SAFEST bet, since you're not a ferret expert and may not be able to choose a good ferret owner over a bad owner, go ahead and give them to the ferret rescue...but check out the rescue too and be SURE it's clean, the beds are clean and they are inside, not outside in the cold. Make a donation to cover food and any medical expenses that may come up - understand that your ferrets MAY live the rest of their lives in the shelter. Send their food - so they can keep eating the same food; all their toys and beds with them; they too can get homesick and even die from changes in their lives and when people leave or they are rehomed - so take as many familiar things with them as possible.

Check out more than one rescue and know you sent them to the BEST one available. Here is a list of shelters - hopefully several in your area:

SHELTERS/RESCUES - U.S.
* http://www.ferret.org/links/shelters.shtm
* http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_shelters.htm
* http://groups.msn.com/Ferret/yourwebpage5.msnw
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-products.html
* http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-us-ferret-shelters.html

One last thing..do NOT separate the ferrets. Keep them together.It is common for them to mourn the loss of each other if separated, so be sure to stress this to anyone who ends up with them.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers