Domesticated Ferret – Manitoba Ferret Association

There is a ferret in my back yard/under my deck/in my garage!

Several times each year the Manitoba Ferret Association will get a call from a concerned home owner concerning a lost ferret hiding in their garage, under their deck or up a tree! I am not here today to give you a detailed history lesson about the animals belonging to the Mustelid family, I simply want to give you a quick reference.

Please note our domesticated ferret does not climb trees! They have no sense of depth perception and would hurt themselves; Fishers, Martins, weasels do climb trees.

The wild cousins of the domesticated ferret are:

MINK

Has a small white patch under the chin, dark brown, or shiny black coat – lives along the river banks.

240px-Fisher_(animal)

FISHER

Very efficient climber, solid colour.

Pine martin

PINE MARTIN

Lighter in color and smaller than the fisher.

TREED MARTIN

weasel3

WEASEL

Weasel or Ermine as it is referred to in the Winter.

Turnip

DOMESTICATED FERRET

Last but not least our domesticated ferret which comes in all hues of brown, black, even in white. So it is understandable to non ferret owners how you can make a mistake.

**Photos of the wild animals are from Wikipedia. Ferrets pictures are from Zoë Rose and Deb K.

Written by Robert R. Church

As ferret caretakers, the following rights are recognized as integral to the ethical and moral treatment of Mustela furo, the domesticated ferret:

The ferret has the right to life.

In those instances where euthanasia is seen as the only moral and ethical option, then it is to be performed with dignity and compassion and in a painless manner.

The ferret has the right to professional veterinary care and treatment, as well as medical treatments that prevent disease, such as heart worm, rabies and distemper, among others.

The ferret has the right to clean water and nutritious food, presented in a sanitary manner.

The ferret has the right to live in a clean and stimulating environment commensurate to its intelligence and curiosity.

The ferret has the right to positive physical contact with people and other ferrets.

The ferret has the right to daily exercise and to explore its environment.

The ferret has the right to be a ferret; not a dog nor a cat.

The ferret has the right to live in a secure and stress-free environment, which includes places to hide when sleeping.

The ferret has the right to be bred in a safe, moral and ethical manner, with the assurance offspring from such breeding will also be treated ethically and morally.

The ferret has the right to defend itself when afraid, without fear of judgement or reprisal.

The ferret has the right to be loved in a FOREVER HOME until it’s time comes to cross the Rainbow Bridge.