Kai and her ferret Leo

Let me tell you a story about one of our younger members in the Manitoba Ferret Association. Kai wanted to have a ferret for a pet. She knew she would have to convince her mom that it was a good idea.

Kai knew the best way to do that was by learning everything she could about ferrets.

I sure wish more grownups would have done their due diligence like Kai!

Kai learned all kinds of neat things about ferrets. She got to work and wrote out lots of ferret facts on pieces of paper and put them up on her wall. This way she could study her ferret facts and become an expert. Every day she researched ferret web sites. Kai went to the library and found a book about ferrets. Kai worked very hard.

Terri (Kai’s mom) was very surprised by all of Kai’s hard work. The hard work paid off. Kai and Terri came to visit the main shelter. Deb at the main shelter was not sure that Kai was old enough for the responsibility of taking care of a ferret. Deb told Kai that having a ferret was nothing like looking after her cats at home or a bunny or gerbil or even a guinea pig. Deb started asking questions. Kai didn’t hesitate at all; and best of all she had the right answers.

Deb showed Kai and Terri Lou aka Leo. Kai reached for Leo and gently cradled him. She had no fear. Leo in turn gave Kai little kisses. It was love at first sight for both of them!

Leo say’s he is the luckiest ferret in all of Winnipeg. Kai plays with him every day. They are best buddies. She has taken him outside to play in a safe playpen. Kai has taken him for walks. Best of all Kai gives him lots of cuddles that puts him in cuddle heaven!

For Christmas Kai was thrilled to get a stroller so she can take Leo on longer walks in the neighborhood. Leo approves!

Leo has made friends with the family cats. They share their cat condo with him. Now he even sleeps with them. Leo is never lonely.

Fred, the MFA president had a chance to speak with Kai about her learning about ferrets. In a telephone interview Fred asked Kai the following questions (Kai was not aware which questions Fred was going to ask her, she only knew that the president of the association wanted to talk to her).

Fred: What is the most important thing you learnt about ferrets.

Kai: I learnt that ferrets are carnivores like cats and they need meat in their diet

Fred: What are their wild cousins?

Kai: Ferrets are related to Skunks and Badgers. Kai knows all about the Black Footed Ferrets which is the domesticated ferrets wild cousin.

Fred: How do you play with your ferret?

Kai:I let him run around the house when we home. Leo plays with their two cats… they’re the best of friends and even eat together from the same food dish when he’s out of his house. When she is at school or they are out, Leo stays in his own house for safety.

I also take him for walks, but mostly he takes me for walks… he mainly goes where he wants to…

We have a playpen they put in their back yard for Leo, and in the fall we took him outside everyday to play in a pile of leaves they put in the playpen… and he LOVED it… but it’s a little too cold for him outside in the winter…

Kai: I tried to dress Leo up but he is too wiggly for that. I got a stroller for Christmas so that I can take Leo for long walks this summer. My cat thinks he should come along too.