Healthy ferrets often make it to adoption centers simply because the previous owners never realized that ferrets can smell. Adopting a ferret instead of buying is highly encouraged as this can offer a second chance to an abandoned pet. A single ferret can cost anywhere between $10 to $200 to adopt, depending on where you’re getting it from.
In this article, we’ll talk about what you need to know if you’re interested in adopting a ferret.
How much does it cost to adopt a ferret?
Before deciding to adopt a ferret, you should keep in mind that the cost to do so can vary drastically depending on where you’re getting your ball of fur from. You can end up paying nothing to get a whole business of ferrets or you can be expected to pay up to $200 per ferret. It also depends on what type of ferrets you want and what are their medical needs.
While it’s not really recommended, you can search for someone in your area that is looking to rehome their ferret. Just keep in mind that if they are a pair, you should never break them apart just because you only want one. Either take them both or look in another place. Ferrets can suffer from separation anxiety and can even die if they feel like they have been abandoned all alone. Finding a ferret to rehome is almost always free but you should always take it to the vet, which can cost around $200.
Adopting from a shelter or a special ferret rescue center is the best option you have. This is because each ferret has already been seen by a professional and you will know 100% whether something might happen with your ferret as it grows older or not. Getting a full health history is very important. This can save your ferret’s life in the long run.
Shelters and rescue centers have their own prices. This might seem like they are not actually helping these pets as you still have to technically “buy” them, but you should keep in mind that it costs a lot of money for a shelter to function. And many rescue centers are based around donations and volunteers. You can expect to pay anywhere between $20 to $300 for a single ferret. Each situation is different
Ferret adoption fees & what’s included with them
When you adopt a ferret, you should keep in mind that the fee includes some very important advantages. And the amount of the fee depends on what advantages are provided. You can find centers with adoption fees as low as $50, while others can offer options up to $500. They all include different things and it depends on you and your budget what you should get.
A standard $50 fee usually includes vaccines, neutering, and wormed. The more expensive the fee is, the more things are added. Some centers offer the removal of the glands that cause most of their smell as well. It’s a safe procedure and almost any ferret in captivity has had it done.
Other fees also come with a 2 week to 6-month health guarantee. And some also offer a “Change of Mind” fee. This allows you to return the ferret up to a specific date, and you will get a partial refund. This can last between 6 weeks and 6 months.
Initial costs of owning a ferret
You should have at least $500 ready if you plan on adopting a single ferret. If you want two, then you should expect to spend around $800. And if you want a whole business of around 6 ferrets, you should expect to invest between $1500 and $2000.
The initial adoption cost can be between $50 to $300 for a single ferret. If you want a specific color, pattern, fur, size, eyes, etc, the price will go higher and higher. Then there is the neutering and descenting, which can cost between $150 to $300 if it wasn’t already done. This is the money you need to set aside and then check if you can afford their other necessities.
You’ll need to start with a cage and the price tag can go anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on how big you want it to be. The more ferrets you will get, the bigger the cage needs to be. Then you have to invest in pet carriers that you can use to take them to the vet. You can opt for small carriers for each ferret, or bigger ones for pairs. Transporting them in pairs will help keep their anxiety under control. A single carrier can cost around $20.
Then you need to think about cage accessories. This includes water and food bowls that cost between $5 and $20 each and hammocks that are usually priced at around $20. Hammocks are very important for ferrets as they feel the safest sleeping in them. They should also be different sizes as most ferrets prefer sleeping together, in the same hammock.
The last thing you need to consider is a leash (if you plan on taking your pet for walks), and toys. These can cost around $50. But it’s very important to remember that ferrets love chewing and will destroy any toy within a short amount of time. Investing too much in them is a bad idea. And if you have numerous ferrets, get materials and DIY the toys at home.
Yearly costs of ferret ownership
The yearly costs for a single ferret can be between $400 and $500 per ferret. This includes $10 to $15 on commercial kibble and $5 to $10 on litter each month. Yearly vet visits and vaccines are very important and this is where you should expect to spend between $150 and $200 a year.
Other expenses include ferret shampoo, treats, training items, etc. This is usually around $50 a year and can go up to $100 a year if the toys need constant replacing. You should also set some money aside for unscheduled health issues and emergencies. This depends on the emergency, but you should have around $500 per ferret put aside.
And if you want to spoil your ferret as much as possible, you can find all kinds of tasty treats online and fun toys. These can cost around $100 a year for a single pet.
