Surrendering a Ferret to Denise's Delightful Dookers Ferret Rescue
If you need to surrender your ferret(s) and would like to place them with us, please use our Surrender Form. We recommend that you read the information below before submitting your request.
DDDFR is in existence because there are times when ferret owners find that they can no longer provide a suitable home for their ferrets. In a perfect world, all ferrets would be in the perfect home, but we understand that sometimes circumstances occur that place an owner in a situation where they can no longer provide that perfect home.
DDDFR is not judgmental to these situations. We applaud owners for coming to us for help, rather than turning to irresponsible decisions such as euthanasia or abandonment. (Ferrets cannot survive out of human captivity. Never release a ferret outdoors if you cannot keep it!) Even giving your ferret to an acquaintance or putting an ad in a newspaper is not necessarily going to provide a suitable home for your ferret(s). By relinquishing your ferret to DDDFR, we will do everything we can to place your ferret into the very best home. We are experienced in screening adoption applicants and we will provide the best of care while your ferrets are awaiting their forever home.
Is Surrender the RIGHT Thing to Do?
People surrender ferrets to ferret shelters for many different reasons. Sometimes, an owner's lifestyle has changed and they feel that they are no longer able to provide the best home for their ferret, other times extenuating circumstances happen making an owner unable to keep his or her ferrets. Another common reason for surrender is that the owner wasn't fully aware of the needs of a ferret prior to acquiring it, and isn't able to provide the best environment. No matter the cause, the underlying reason we hear from an owner who is surrendering is "I cannot provide the best home for this ferret anymore."
However, this is not necessarily always the case. Years of experience has shown us that even when an owner feels they no longer have the best home, it really is the only home that their ferret can thrive in. We ask that you please consider the following prior to contacting us regarding ferret placement:
- Nearly every ferret who is turned over to a ferret shelter suffers what we call "shelter shock." Regardless of the age or physical condition of the ferret, some level of shelter shock is to be expected. Symptoms of shelter shock range from mild diarrhea, tummy upset, and vomiting, to more serious symptoms as lethargy, refusal to eat or drink, and severe depression.
- In younger, stronger ferrets, even the more severe symptoms can be combated and overcome quickly, and the ferret can go on to be placed in a wonderful new home. However, in older ferrets, shelter shock can be fatal. Shelter shock can trigger underlying health problems that have been kept 'in check' in their normal home with their normal routines. The stress of being moved to a new home, a new cage, with new smells and new routines can be very hard on an older ferret, or even a younger ferret with a compromised health situation.
- If you have had your ferret for several years, and he or she is an older ferret (especially age 5 and older), it is in the best interest of your ferret to consider the reasons why you feel you must surrender him or her. If the reason is that you're too busy to let him/her out for exercise, it's possible that your ferret may not need several hours a day as when he/she was younger. An elderly ferret may only need an hour or two per day outside the cage rather than the six or eight he once had. Perhaps there is a room in your home where you could confine your ferret, and give him/her more exercise alone while not requiring that you attend to his/her every moment he/she is out.
- Perhaps you travel, and you do not wish to leave your ferret at home alone while you are away? DDDFR provides boarding services, both short and long term. Knowing that your ferret is safe and well cared for while you travel may possibly help eliminate at least one reason you would consider surrendering your ferret. There are literally dozens of scenarios that we could address here where an alternative that you have not considered may become an acceptable solution. The bottom line is that we may be able to help you find a way that you can keep your ferret in his or her familiar environment, making it easier for you and quite possibly saving your ferret's life.
Surrendering a Ferret
If surrender is your only option, we are here to help. We will take in any ferret in need.To surrender a ferret, simply complete our Surrender Form. When filling out this form, please provide complete information, including the name(s) and age(s) of the ferret(s) you are surrendering. Age is VERY important, so please try to provide as accurate an age as possible. We also need to know as much detailed information as you can provide such as if your ferret(s) lived in a cage or lived with other pets; if they have ANY medical issues; and very important is the exact brand of food that they were used to eating. We do have some requirements for owners wishing to surrender their ferret(s) to us.
- We ask that you please keep in mind that we are a shelter, not a business. We rely on volunteers and donations to keep our doors open so that we can provide a place for ferrets like yours to come to. We are going to treat your ferret(s) as if they were our very own pets and we will provide everything from food and bedding to medical care if need be. What we ask in return will help us to continue to help others who find themselves needing to surrender a ferret.
- We ask that upon surrender you provide copies of any veterinary records, including vaccination history that you have. You can contact your veterinarian who should be happy to make copies of your ferret's veterinary history. This information is very helpful to us and to the new owner, and in some cases can be life-saving if anything in the medical history ever becomes significant. Your vaccination records can also prevent us from over-vaccinating your ferret; we vaccinate all ferrets that come to the shelter unless proof of current vaccination is provided.
- We ask that you please send the following along to the shelter when surrendering a ferret: at least one full week's worth of the food that your ferret is used to eating. It is VERY important that we have the exact kind of food and that we do not change your ferret's diet too suddenly. Also, send along at least one piece of your ferret's bedding and DO NOT wash it for at least one week prior to surrender. Your ferret's scent on this piece of bedding will be very comforting to him or her and can dramatically decrease the risk of shelter shock. Finally - any favorite toys, dishes, etc. that are familiar to your ferret should be sent along as well. We are trying to keep as much 'normal' as possible for your ferret while he or she gets used to the new surroundings.
- Donations are not required upon surrender. However, we do ask that you consider all that we will do for your ferret while he or she resides with us. We will be taking your ferret to the vet at least twice for a checkup and to receive rabies and distemper vaccinations. If your ferret has any medical problems, we will bear the expense to make your ferret well. We will feed, shelter, and provide necessities for your ferret for as long as it takes to find him or her the very best home possible. And we will take the time to care for and love your ferret as if he were one of our own. Our organization runs entirely on the work of volunteers and through donations and fundraising efforts. While your donation is not required, it is greatly appreciated.
