my visit to a ferretry - aka getting my new boy!

Well, as some of you know I drove down to Columbus yesterday to pick up my new baby boy. A three (soon to be four) year old retired breeder, black roan mitt, he was neutered Friday morning.
Mapquest said it was a 2 hour and 10 minute drive. I didn't know there was construction off and on 301 - the road was completely closed in some areas and the detours were outrageously long because its nothing but country roads down there. Even so, once I got on 71 I made up for lost time and made it in 2 hours and 5 mins ... I was so anxious, it felt like a lot longer. Of course, the way home I went a different way, so it wasn't as bad. Amanda went with me, on road trips, she is the "navigator" even though she has no sense of direction :rofl1: she helps me find the road to turn on next.

The breeder and I have been talking for quite a while, so I felt like I already knew her. I was so excited, I was like a kid in a candy store. I almost passed up the house, but when I saw all of the ferret statues, signs, mailbox, stickers on the car, I knew I was in the right place!

I rang the doorbell, and was warmly greeted. I felt right a home, we chatted for quite a while. She showed me Murtagh right away, he'd just woken up, so he was very cuddly. I held him just about the whole time, I handed him to Amanda briefly, then I took him back... she laughed at me. We talked about nutrition and health (she already knew what I was feeding, she was explaining what she feeds more in depth), she was very pleased that I feed the girls raw, and that I was so well educated, she didn't have to give me the whole shebang on that. I did ask questions about his neuter, and stitches, as I've never dealt with that in a ferret. I haven't decided whether I'm going to take them out myself, or get him established at my vet yet... He's so mellow, he'd hold perfectly still for me to take them out no problem. I've done it with the dogs a hundred times

We talked about the Buckeye Bash in August (sooo excited!!) and she talked to me about showing him, which classes he's eligible for, which ones I should enter. I'm REALLY excited about that, I've never done anything like it before, so its a nervous excited. She's really excited that I'm going to give it a go, and that she'll get to see him again

((more))

I met his whole "family" of fuzzies. His sister, and her kits. I can't remember how old they were - I think around 14-16weeks. There were only a couple left. And she also showed me Murtagh's last litter. They were not quite 2weeks old... SOOO... CUTEE!!!! *squee!* They all had gray fuzz, and there eyes were still closed. Their (beautiful) momma let the breeder handle the babies no problem - she trusted her, she showed me the ones she was keeping - some of the kits already had their Dad's nose *melts*. She gave them all some frozen / partially thawed mice, and it was very entertaining to watch. The adults finished them in a matter of minutes - the kits were still learning, and fighting ! It was too cute!! All of the cages were clean, with well loved blankets and hammocks. The only cage that was "messy" was the cage with the kits - and they're fun to litter train, so I give her huge props on that one! She apologized for how messy they were, and said cleaning day was today. Wow. To be quite honest, I expected more of a breeder ferret odor (intact hobs can be quite stinky), but you could tell she kept on top of things!!

After a while we went in her office and I've never seen so many ribbons in all my life, and I said so. She smiled and said that she ran out of room and she had a garbage bag full, waiting for her to clean and rearrange the office to make room!! I finished the paperwork while Murtagh had a bathroom and mice break and we talked shows some more. She gave us two bags of frozen chicks (AWESOME!) and walked us out to the car, where I had the carrier ready. She went to shake my hand, and I bypassed and gave her a hug :rofl1: and promised pictures, and to see her in August.

and the whole way home I was going *squee* !!

I only have one pic now, because I'm letting him settle. He doesn't like this temporary cage much, so he's been in the play pen 90% of the time, until I do intros to the girls, and hopefully integrate him into the FN with them. Jess, he's too big for the harness you sent!! I did have one around the house that fit him, though. But he's resting, and I'm gradually switching him to 100% raw.

Oh, and I'm probably going to be keeping the name lol, I know, I know. I'm probably driving you guys crazy. But he knows it

and, for the pic




I know this is long, but I wanted to share my GREAT experience!!!

He's adorable!

I'd like to go to a ferret show one day. You'll have to take alot of pictures when you go.

She sounds like a wonderful breeder.

Thank you.

Ferret shows are awesome!! They are so different than dog or cat shows (I've been to both, as a spectator of course ) Cat shows seemed very quiet to me, some of the owners were kind of "snooty" (not trying to offend anyone, here)... very interesting experience. It seemed so quiet to me! Some of the cats got water out of a dropper, because lapping up the water would give them stains on the mouth. hehe. The dog shows always seem so busy, some don't have time to talk to anyone. Or some seem to get annoyed if you ask questions. Of course, the dogs are much more mobile and attentive to the handler.

The ferret show is so laid back in comparison, everyone is trying to educate others, there is constant chatter, friends and strangers alike, there are always booths or speakers about health & care (and of course, cool stuff to buy like dog and cat shows) and there is pretty much a hands off policy unless you disinfect your hands before handling (and some still don't allow it), but no clothes contact because of risk of ADV among other things. But they're SUPER nice about it, and try to encourage to go to good breeders, or rescues instead of buying from the pet stores. In the specialty classes everyone gets a different type of ribbon, and in the Champoinship classes the winner gets a plaque with a ferret statue on it, and then the 3 ribbons for 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Very cool to watch the judges, that is somewhat similar to cat showing, they sometimes use a rattle or teaser - some of them expect a ferrty attitude lol. Oh, and there are shows that you can enter your pet store ferrets in, so no one is left out It's like one big happy opcorn: lol

Yes, pictures will have to be a must!!


ETA: I did a lot of research when it came to which breeder I wanted to go with. It wasn't an easy prossess When she asked me as many questions as I asked her, AND had good, Truthful answers, I knew it was a good match! :lol-sign:

I hate you. That is all

I am SO JEALOUS! Cannot do it this year, but I think either the next show, or next year, I may have to come down and you may have to bring me to see it

He's sooooooooooooooooo adorable!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!

Thanks Barb
I hate you too :rofl1:

that would be awesome!!! Were probably going to stay at a hotel Friday night, so we'll be able to be down there Sat morning... That'd be SO awesome for next year... Crash the hotel... Then the show... hehe

oh man is he cute!

Awesome! Im so glad you got him!

A couple pictures. I caught him sleeping with his eye halfway open! lol

WOW he is INSANELY adorable!!!! I'm already itching to get a second ferret. Trying to upgrade my cage first though... have one of those super pet ones (4 levels) but really want a Ferret Nation...

I really want to find a ferret show in my area so I can start meeting other ferret people

I LOVE my FN. I liked the super pet cage okay, but I never realized what a huge pain it was to clean until I got my FN

American Ferret Association: Ferret Shows & Events is a good place to start looking for shows in the area... there aren't very many but check with your local rescues, too, sometimes they host similar events.

Thanks I'll definitely check that link out

Ya the super pet one is a super pain to clean. I have to completely unhook the bottom pan from the rest of the cage in order to get anything clean... esp since Mika isn't 100% with her litterbox... she is about 80% in the box and 20% out of the box... we're working on teaching her to be more efficient in using the pan. After I get it cleaned it's annoying trying to put the cage back onto the pan.

The ferret nations look so convenient for cleaning purposes and for rearranging purposes... with the super pet you have to try to get your hand and arm twisted all sorts of ways to rearrange bedding and hammocks etc... my friend's dad said if I can find the panels to do so he wouldn't mind welding me a customized cage to resemble a ferret nation... but I may just end up getting one... haven't decided yet... but definitely need to upgrade to something better than what we currently have