A curious face looking up at you and a delightfully wiggly, squirmy, bouncing bundle of sinewy muscle and silky fur with the most wonderful, trusting and comic expression - but it's trouble. In short, it's a ferret. Once you see one, you won't soon forget her. But many people don't realize that not everyone likes, or can legally own these delightful pets.

Is A Ferret Right for You?

Having a ferret isn't for everyone. Before you pick up the adorable kit in the pet store or the humane society, ask yourself these questions:

• Is it legal? Depending on where you live, owning a ferret may not be allowed. Some states, counties, and cities have very strict legislation governing whether you can keep a ferret at all. In some cases, the gender is restricted, and it others, you cannot own a ferret if you have children in your household. To find out what the regulations and licensing regulations are in your particular area, contact your local shelter, Humane Society, or Wildlife or Fish and Game Department. Better yet, find a veterinarian in your area who is familiar with treating ferrets. Not only will he or she be able to guide you through the regulations and initial purchase considerations, but also you will have begun an important relationship that can help you ensure that your new pet will remain happy, healthy and active throughout his life.
  
• Do you have the time? Your ferret will need your attention daily. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 2-3 playtimes per day of at least 15-20 minutes per playtime. If the ferret is very young, she may need more playtimes, but of shorter duration. By giving her your undivided attention for these short periods each day, you will give her the message that she's important and that you care. The playtimes also serve a double purpose; when you play with her, you teach her what's acceptable and what isn't (refraining from biting, for example).
  
• Can your children or other pets adjust? Most small children love ferrets, but ferrets won't necessarily love your children. Kids can play too rough for a ferret, and it is hard for a child under five to grasp the fact that your pet doesn't necessarily want to play, or that being forced to wear a baby bonnet and being pushed in a stroller isn't a ferret's idea of fun. Ferrets tend to run away from such experiences, and children tend to try to compel them to play. By the same token, other animals don't always appreciate having another pet of any kind around. Your dog may be happier as the only pet. If you have pets, or children, be sure to consider how well they will acclimate to having a new friend before you bring a new ferret home.
  
• Is your lifestyle stable? Are you in a career which may require you to move frequently from city to city, which can cause stress not just for you but for your ferret, or which will have you traveling extensively, leaving your pet home alone for days on end? Are you uncertain about your future living arrangements? For example, are you thinking of moving in with someone else or moving to an apartment complex which doesn't allow pets?
  
• Can you make a commitment? Properly cared for, ferrets live for 5 to 10 years and, because they become very attached to their owners, aren't easily given away to foster homes. When you bring home that kit, will you be prepared to have her as part of your household for that length of time? Are you able to give your ferret a good home over that length of time, and are you prepared to face the medical needs of an older ferret?
  
• Can you afford it? Medical needs are not just hard to face emotionally; they can hurt your pocketbook as well. It costs something to acquire a ferret, of course (pet-store prices usually top $100), but that's only one of many cost issues in owning a ferret.
  • Supplies: At a minimum, you need a cage, litter box and a food bowl; though not expensive, they are necessary. From there, you can look at special ferret beds or sleeping hammocks, toys, leash and collar or harness if you plan to leash-train your ferret, and we haven't even looked at food yet. A ferret is a carnivore who requires 5-7% of his body weight daily of a high-protein, meat-based dry food. Cat foods found in supermarkets are not acceptable since they contain fillers and dyes and are grain-based. Check the label to be sure the first and second items are poultry or lamb.
  • Medical care: At the very minimum, your ferret needs an annual exam with vaccinations, which can run $50-75. Both sexes need to be neutered; this should be done no later than when they are 5 to 7 months old. An unspayed female ferret will remain in heat for 6 months unless she is bred. The high hormone levels that result are very stressful on her body and can lead to severe disease or take years off her lifespan. The biggest question mark when trying to budget for a ferret is the unforeseen medical emergency, which can run from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Taking into account the annual vet exam with vaccinations, you can plan to spend about $500 per year on your ferret to keep her healthy and happy.

The First Steps: Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

You're ready, and probably eager, to take the first step. You want to run out to the pet store, or the breeder, or the shelter. But don't rush off just yet. It's important for you to take time out to read as much as you can about introducing, and keeping, a ferret within your family. Browse through the other articles on this web site. Visit your public library and read the books, or purchase some reference material that you will later keep on hand.

In between pages or clicks of the mouse, look around your home and decide what changes you will need to make. You'll want to decide where your new friend will live. Remember that your ferret will be like a small child, curious and lively, and that she is by nature predisposed to get into trouble at every turn. You'll need to ferret-proof the areas where she can go, and you'll want to get the right supplies. She'll have natural instincts and urges to satisfy, and depending on where she will live, it will be up to you to ensure that she can do so appropriately.

After you've done your homework, get pro-active. Decide where you will go to find the perfect choice. Talk to other owners. Find out where they purchased their pets. Tap their base of knowledge and experience and discover which solution is right for you.

Once you decide to get a ferret, take the opportunity to make it an occasion to remember. Pull out the camera, create an album and make lots of memories. Your new pet will be with you for a long, long time, and you'll want to record your family's reactions as well as hers. In fact, preparing your family in advance and selecting the most opportune time to bring your new pet home--she'll need quiet and attention for those first critical days of socialization--is absolutely critical. And, of course, you'll need to know what to expect and how to care for her when you first bring her home.

Carefully chosen, and happily settled into her new environment, a ferret can be one of the greatest joys in your life. She doesn't require a large house with an enormous yard to be happy; a small apartment will do just fine. She won't ask you to get up and walk her at 6:00 A.M. in the dead of winter, and she can amuse herself, and you, with a minimal provision of a few simple toys and accessories. She'll offer you love and affection, and a release from the many stresses of life. Still, do remember that a ferret is a commitment. She is a living, loving, deeply emotional creature who requires care, love, and nurturing in return. Offer her that, and you will have a better friend than you can possibly imagine.