The Schubert Site: Stories about a sable ferret, a tabby cat, and a full and joyful life.
A gallery of adorable ferret pictures
When Schubert broke into our apartment
Why you should think twice before getting a ferret
The day Schubert caught a "mouse"
Schubert and the big red balloon
I love my ferret. But that doesn't mean I'm so sure I'll be getting another after we lose Schubert. I had the opportunity to do some volunteering for the local humane society when we lived in Laurinburg, and the experiences I had with the animals and the shelter staff there are invaluable to me.
Far too many people see pets as a commodity, as many people who work in shelters and vets' offices can tell you. If you can't afford $80 to spay the animal, don't keep one. Don't think that you're doing it a favor by not taking it to the shelter. By keeping an animal that is not spayed or neutered, you are inviting misery onto 4 or 5 unwanted puppies and kittens. Who, if left unaltered, can each add litters of 4 or 5 to the already booming population of homeless dogs or cats. Breeding is best left to professional breeders.
The same should apply to medical treatment. If you can't afford heartworm medication, you don't need a dog. If you can't afford to get it vaccinated, you have no business owning a cat.
The great thing about ferrets is that it is extremely difficult to get a ferret that is not spayed or neutered with their first shots. It is illegal to breed ferrets without a license in North Carolina. (Maybe we could take inspiration from this for dogs and cats? I truly think that measures so drastic are the only thing we can do to stop the boom of unwanted animals in shelters each spring.)
That said, the upkeep and medical expenses of owning a ferret can quickly surpass the expenses of owning a dog or cat. It is very difficult to find a vet who is qualified to treat them. (And be careful, I've taken Schubert to vets who said they could treat him and then called him a rodent!) Once you find a good vet, make sure you keep their number in your speed-dial. The likelihood that a ferret will need surgery at some point during their lives is very high. Medical research for ferret-related illnesses is miserably deficient compared to research on dogs and cats. The only recourse for ferret owners is to stay informed, and actively involved in the ferret's health. Make sure the vet vaccinates him for canine distemper and not feline distemper. And don't be afraid to stand up to a vet that you think may not know what they are doing! Ask questions, do research before you take the ferret to a new vet. The ferret relies on you to may the best decisions for him. He sure can't tell the vet what he needs.
I can't give you stats on qualified vets or the number of unwanted ferrets in shelters. But I can caution you against buying a ferret if you do not have the time or financial resources to devote to these beautiful and charismatic animals.