Health and caring of ferrets and polecats

South West ferret rescue are based in the far south west of Cornwall, England in the town of Camborne.
e-mail to www.swfr@supanet.com

South West Ferret Rescue came about because of the need for homes for injured and very old ferrets. Our first ferret ‘Rodney’ came from a pet shop that had little idea about their feeding or wellbeing. This set us on the road to find out more about these animals. The first ‘rescue’ came from the RSPCA, it was a very young polecat we called Brains, which during its short life with us had numerous abscesses and tumour's which eventually resulted in her being put to sleep at the age of three. During her time with us she cemented the ferret into our lives.

Since then numerous old, blind and injured ferrets have come our way as well as many healthy ones, and this meant many animals being re-homed by us. The emphases on re-homing healthy animals is as pets rather than as hunting animals.

All ferrets that are re-homed are subject to a home check of their new owners. This is to ensure not only that the ferret will have a good enclosure but also to advise the owner of possible problems, i.e. escape routes.

Just a bit of fun

I take no responsibility for the following statements except that some are mine and some are "stolen" but all are the absolute truth.

Ferret Rules for Humans

1. If it can be moved, it will be

2. Once moved, its theirs and will only be put back "Where it belongs" after a Human borrows it.

3. Toes, smelly socks, insoles and remote controls make the best toys.

4. All plants need repotting.

5. If it's edible it will be stashed, if it's not edible it will be eaten.

6. The best food is always raisins, fruitloops, Cheerios, bananas and various things that are not nutritious.

7. Ferret motto "We reserve the right to torment the dog".

8. It's not an underwear drawer it's their bed.

9. "Ferret Proof" isn't.

10. Saying "Absolutely no more ferrets" is guaranteed to bring another one into the house

A poem we can all relate to:

If it should be

If it should be that I grow weak

and pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then you must do what must be done

for this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad - I understand

don't let your grief then stay your hand,

For this day, more than all the rest

your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years

what is to come can hold no fears,

You'd not want me to suffer so

The time has come, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend

please stay with me till the end,

Hold me firm and speak to me

until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see

the kindness that you do for me,

Although my tail it's last has waived

from pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve, it must be you

who has this painful thing to do,

We've been so close, we two these years

don't let your heart hold back it's tears.

With kind permission from one of our local veterinary practices.

This is one of the outside pens used for both rescues and two of our permanent members. It is basically an 8' X 6' shed with a 6' X 6' run one end and an 8' 6' run this end. This is divided in two to allow two groups of ferrets to be out all the time. The inside is equipped with lighting and fans for the summer and has a sleeping, eating and play area for each run to allow the animals freedom to be inside or out. Note that we have fitted plastics sheeting to the lower half of the runs, this was because we were finding that they were climbing up to the top then just letting go. To prevent injury we fitted the panels to prevent any adventurous attempts at suicide. The right hand picture is the rear of the pens in which we can put ferrets so that they can play in freedom. The area is secure so we can leave them to it. At the far end is another small temporary pen which is part of the run but can be isolated if required.

This is the pen that was built for Tom and Jerry, made out of an old greenhouse with all the glass replaced by netting and wood. It has a two tiered accommodation with lots of tubes and toys.

How's this for the ultimate ferret condo. It was built for Whizz and Mimsie and has to be the best cage in the area.

Another pen, built along the same lines, but for Blaze and Zelah that has to be the best and cleanest around. They are on either side of a very large purpose built shed and has resulted in the most pampered ferrets around. Well with the exception of Toffee ( see below)

Another home, this one built for Toffee but in fact she turned her nose up at it (all ferrets should be so lucky) and moved in with her human provider.

Well, this is one house (or is that estate) that makes all others look a bit on the small size. Being a simple person (comes from too much time with ferrets) I have managed to lose the owners address. So Patrina please contact me again, thanks. I always thought that I had pretty good accomodation but this one has definately set the old planning thoughts going. One thing we have toyed with is having a far larger house for the ferrets as even in the summer they tend to spend more time inside, unless they are loose in the garden then it's all plants for themselves.




South West ferret rescue are based in the far south west of Cornwall, England in the town of Camborne. e-mail to www.swfr@supanet.com


South West Ferret Rescue came about because of the need for homes for injured and very old ferrets. Our first ferret ‘Rodney’ came from a pet shop that had little idea about their feeding or wellbeing. This set us on the road to find out more about these animals. The first ‘rescue’ came from the RSPCA, it was a very young polecat we called Brains, which during its short life with us had numerous abscesses and tumour's which eventually resulted in her being put to sleep at the age of three. During her time with us she cemented the ferret into our lives. Since then numerous old, blind and injured ferrets have come our way as well as many healthy ones, and this meant many animals being re-homed by us. The emphases on re-homing healthy animals is as pets rather than as hunting animals. All ferrets that are re-homed are subject to a home check of their new owners. This is to ensure not only that the ferret will have a good enclosure but also to advise the owner of possible problems, i.e. escape routes.

Just a bit of fun I take no responsibility for the following statements except that some are mine and some are "stolen" but all are the absolute truth. Ferret Rules for Humans 1. If it can be moved, it will be 2. Once moved, its theirs and will only be put back "Where it belongs" after a Human borrows it. 3. Toes, smelly socks, insoles and remote controls make the best toys. 4. All plants need repotting. 5. If it's edible it will be stashed, if it's not edible it will be eaten. 6. The best food is always raisins, fruitloops, Cheerios, bananas and various things that are not nutritious. 7. Ferret motto "We reserve the right to torment the dog". 8. It's not an underwear drawer it's their bed. 9. "Ferret Proof" isn't. 10. Saying "Absolutely no more ferrets" is guaranteed to bring another one into the house

A poem we can all relate to: *If it should be* If it should be that I grow weak and pain should keep me from my sleep, Then you must do what must be done for this last battle can't be won. You will be sad - I understand don't let your grief then stay your hand, For this day, more than all the rest your love for me must stand the test. We've had so many happy years what is to come can hold no fears, You'd not want me to suffer so The time has come, please let me go. Take me where my needs they'll tend please stay with me till the end, Hold me firm and speak to me until my eyes no longer see. I know in time that you will see the kindness that you do for me, Although my tail it's last has waived from pain and suffering I've been saved. Please do not grieve, it must be you who has this painful thing to do, We've been so close, we two these years don't let your heart hold back it's tears. With kind permission from one of our local veterinary practices.

This is one of the outside pens used for both rescues and two of our permanent members. It is basically an 8' X 6' shed with a 6' X 6' run one end and an 8' 6' run this end. This is divided in two to allow two groups of ferrets to be out all the time. The inside is equipped with lighting and fans for the summer and has a sleeping, eating and play area for each run to allow the animals freedom to be inside or out. Note that we have fitted plastics sheeting to the lower half of the runs, this was because we were finding that they were climbing up to the top then just letting go. To prevent injury we fitted the panels to prevent any adventurous attempts at suicide. The right hand picture is the rear of the pens in which we can put ferrets so that they can play in freedom. The area is secure so we can leave them to it. At the far end is another small temporary pen which is part of the run but can be isolated if required.


This is the pen that was built for Tom and Jerry, made out of an old greenhouse with all the glass replaced by netting and wood. It has a two tiered accommodation with lots of tubes and toys.

	How's this for the ultimate ferret condo. It was built for Whizz and Mimsie and has to be the best cage in the area.

Another pen, built along the same lines, but for Blaze and Zelah that has to be the best and cleanest around. They are on either side of a very large purpose built shed and has resulted in the most pampered ferrets around. Well with the exception of Toffee ( see below)

	Another home, this one built for Toffee but in fact she turned her nose up at it (all ferrets should be so lucky) and moved in with her human provider.

Well, this is one house (or is that estate) that makes all others look a bit on the small size. Being a simple person (comes from too much time with ferrets) I have managed to lose the owners address. So Patrina please contact me again, thanks. I always thought that I had pretty good accomodation but this one has definately set the old planning thoughts going. One thing we have toyed with is having a far larger house for the ferrets as even in the summer they tend to spend more time inside, unless they are loose in the garden then it's all plants for themselves.

© swfr 2001