Shady Hollow Ferretry - Adoption info

When are baby ferrets available?
Ferrets are very keyed into photo-periods. When the days start to get longer, the ferrets start to cycle into season. This goes for the hobs (males) as well as the jills (females). For this reason, I only have ferret kits (babies) available from the late Spring to early Fall.

Are they neutered or spayed?
I do not recommend neutering or spaying a ferret until they are at least 7 months old. Ferrets are quite dependent on their hormones to develop as they were intended. Ferrets, like many other members of the mustelidae family are sexually dimorphic. This means there is a noticeable difference in the size between the males and the females. Males are 2 - 2 1/2 times larger than the females and the two genders develop some different physical characteristics. Keeping their hormones until they are 7 months or older is important to allow this development to occur.
For ferrets that are being purchased as a pet and not a breeder, the contract between you and I that you will need to sign states that you will not breed the ferret and you will have the ferret neutered or spayed by the time they reach a certain age, usually 7 months. You will be expected to send a copy of the veterinary documentation for the neuter / spay to me for proof of fulfilling this part of our agreement. Almost all ferrets that are 8 months of age or older that I offer for adoption will already be spayed or neutered before placing them in a new home.

Are they vaccinated?
The degree of vaccination will depend on the age of the ferret. If you pick up your baby prior to 14 weeks of age, I will have given them their first Canine Distemper (CDV) vaccination(s). If you pick them up at 14 weeks or later, they will have their full series of CDV vaccinations but not their rabies vaccination yet. They will need a yearly booster of CDV & rabies each year on the anniversary of their last vaccinations. Older ferrets will be fully vaccinated.

At what age can I take one home?
The earliest that I will allow a ferret baby to go to his or her new home is 9 weeks of age. Most babies are 10 weeks or older before they leave. Each baby is evaluated by me to be sure they are ready to go before I will release them to their new family.

Choosing your new companion:
You can read the descriptions provided on my web page here and review the pictures of the babies that have been born and pick one from there. Or, you can contact me and tell me what traits are important to you and I can pick one for you. I haven't had a disappointed client yet with my picks! I do ask that if you are picking for yourself, you have a first and second choice. I do not make my litter picks until the babies are big enough to make some determinations about size and structure. Also, if you would like to visit the ferretry to make your pick, that is fine. Contact me to schedule an appointment for your visit. I ask that you please do not bring any ferrets or other animals with you for safety and sanitation reasons.
It is important that I get some information about you so I can better advise you in selecting the right ferret. I request that you fill out this application to assist in this process: application
I do not ship my ferrets so you must either come to the ferretry to pick up your baby or you can pick up your ferret from me at one of the shows I will be attending. For folks picking up their babies at a show, please note that babies under 16 weeks of age are not allowed in a show hall so other arrangements may be needed if the baby is younger than 16 weeks.

How to purchase
I do not take any deposits for babies that are not yet born. After you have made your choice(s), you will need to make a deposit to reserve your baby(ies). The deposit is a minimum of $75 per baby - of which $35 is refundable if you decide not to adopt a baby. You can continue to check back with my web pages to get news of their development or to see updated photos. If you wish to change your selection even after you send in a deposit, this can usually be done with no problems. Babies are sold intact (meaning not spayed or neutered) and it is the responsibility of the new owner to get this procedure done by the agreed upon time. Once the kit goes home with you, in the rare event that things just don't work out, the kit must come back to me.

Prices
The prices of the kits will differ based on genealogy and if the ferret will be bred or not. Ferrets that are purchased as breeders will have a higher price than those purchased as a pet. The current price ranges are $300 - $350 for pet and $400 - $450 for breeder.

Adoption Contract
Each ferret that is adopted must have a completed and signed adoption contract prior to the ferret going to their new home. This contract is an agreement between the buyer (you) and the seller (me). It states that the buyer will properly care for the ferret, feed the ferret proper food, get the proper vaccinations, will not transfer ownership of this ferret to another party, will not breed this ferret and will have the ferret neutered or spayed by a stated date or time period.
My babies come with a health guarantee that states I will replace the kit if he/she dies from a genetic related cause within the first year which must be determined by a licensed veterinarian.