Interested in getting a ferret.

Question
Where can I get some Baby Ferrets at in MI.That are NOT to much...

Answer
Hi Crystal,

Before you think about getting a ferret, you should start doing  your research. A good book to use as a reference is Ferrets for Dummies, but there are some pieces of misinformation in that, so you should also try looking at these websites:

http://www.ferret-universe.com/
http://www.ferretcentral.org/

Now, there is still a lot of controversy concerning ferrets, so you may find some conflicting information out there, so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me or any of my fellow experts. That is what we are here for after all!

That being said, a lot goes into caring for ferrets. It is not a cheap hobby whatsoever. A high quality food can be pricey and ferrets eat a lot because their digestive tracts are so short, so food prices add up. Ferrets are still considered an exotic pet, so their office visit prices for the vet are not cheap, either. They take a lot of time and commitment, as well. A ferret's cage needs to be at least three feet wide, by two feet high, by two feet high. That is the bare minimum for keeping one ferret. If you are planning to get more, you need a bigger cage. Another thing to consider is that ferrets cannot be in temperatures over eighty degrees or they will get heatstroke and heatstroke will put a ferret into very serious and very real mortal danger. Not to mention, ferrets need at least three or four hours minimum to be out of their cage and play and get exercise. If not, the ferret will begin to gain weight and lose muscle and it will start to get stressed out from being in the cage so much. That is when you'll start seeing cage stress kick in. Cage stress is usually characterized by the ferret biting and scratching at the bars and appearing generally restless. This is dangerous because it may cause the ferret to break a tooth or a nail, which, as you can imagine, would be very painful. Also, ferrets do have a certain musk to them that may offend some people. This, of course, is barely noticeable when you keep their cage, bedding, and litter box cleaned, but it might be a factor in your decision.

After you've considered everything I have just told you and you do some reading on those websites and books I suggested, and you still want to get a ferret, you should consider going to a shelter and adopting one. There are a few shelters in MI that have ferrets that are waiting to be adopted and taken to their new forever homes. Here is a little list:

Michigan

Michigan Ferret Rescue, Inc.
Director: Lori Blaisdell
Flint, MI 48532
(810) 240-7499
E-Mail: miferretrescue@sbcglobal.net
Website: http://www.miferretrescue.org

We are on Pet Finder

West Michigan Ferret Connection
Director: Dee Gage
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 447-2978
E-Mail: ddmgage@sbcglobal.net

We are on Pet Finder

Waters Wayward Weezils
Director: Donna Waterstradt
PO Box 390
Hamburg, MI 48139
(586) 344-0196
E-Mail: waterswaywardweezils@msn.com
Website: http://www.waterswaywardweezils.org
A 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization
We are on Pet Finder and State Licensed

Motor City Ferrets
Directors: Nanci Frazier & Alex Oeming
Hazel Park, MI
(248) 219-9023
E-Mail: motorcityferrets@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.motorcityferrets.org
A 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization
We are on Pet Finder and State Licensed

Debs Ferret Rescue & Boarding
Director: Mark & Debbie Fitzgerald
Montague, MI
(231) 894-8171
E-Mail: debsferretrescue@aol.com

Westland Veterinary Hospital
Director: Dr. Sharon Lawrenchuk
Westland, MI
(734) 261-5900

That is the list of shelters in Michigan that can be found on the American Ferret Association's website. This is another very good list of shelters that can be found in Michigan:

http://www.supportourshelters.org/SOS-ShelterList2.html

I urge you to think about adopting before anything else because, often, you can find a younger ferret, if that is what you want, and adopting is often cheaper than buying from a pet shop. Ferrets that you can adopt are generally in better health and you are generally given a better idea of their health and history versus the ferrets that are purchased from a pet store and were bred on a farm.

Anyway, I know I have given you more than you have bargained for with asking your question, but there are a lot of things to think about when making a decision like this. All of that being said, ferrets are really the most wonderful pets you could ever hope to own. They really have all the best qualities of a cat and a dog all rolled up into one neat little package. They are a lot of work, but they are really wonderful animals and if you do decide to get one, you will not regret it. Let me know if you have anymore questions about the information I gave you (I know it is a bit overwhelming and I hope you'll forgive me) please don't hesitate to ask and please keep me updated if you decide to get one of these wonderful little creatures!

Sincerely,
Emilee Andrews