Ferret Farm Rescue & Boarding Center

26/03/2025

Gorgeous ferrets looking for their forever homes.
We are hoping to spend the rest of our lives with a loving and playful family who can give us a safe secure enclosure inside or out.
We are all really fun loving ferrets.
We can go as pairs or even all 4 of us as we do get along really well.
We are just desperate for a family to love, play with, snuggle with, maybe terrorise a bit too!Along with the typical frustration you humans suffer from our rearranging of litter trays, toys, bed digging, poo mishaps etc. We do however respect a water bowl and promise not to dig it out!
We promise to give our humans hours of entertainment and joy with a little chaos thrown in for good measure.

26/03/2025

21/03/2025

Ferret found Torquay area.

12/03/2025

Lots of ferret goodies for grabs. Take a look through.
Due to the show cancellations I’m now trying to sell some of the stock.
All items can be made in different designs and all clothing different sizes.
If you have your own ferret picture of slogan you’d like on something let me know.
Prices are on the pictures.
Clothing sizes currently in stock are written on the pictures and ready to post/collect.

Stickers

Stickers for interior or exterior use. Fully waterproof.
Prices per size ranging from 50p up.
Add 50p for two colours.
Sizes-10cm-A4 size.

Small 8cm-11cm £2
Med- 12cm-15cm £3
Large 16cm-20cm £4
X-large 21cm-25cm £5
Two tone e.g two colours black and white add 50p.

Many colours and designs. Happy to print names or slogans of your choice

Just message me with what item/design you’d like.

10/03/2025

Ferret found in Penhalurik (between stithians and fourlanes) cornwall.

03/03/2025

There’s a lot of confusion over the recent virus so I really feel this is an opportunity to educate.

My thoughts really go out to the poor owners at this time and it breaks my heart thinking of them and their poor ferrets.
I also want to express how this is no one’s fault as I’ve seen a lot of finger pointing and anger on social media.
It has disgusted me the mentality of some.
This kind of tragic event should bring the ferret community togeather, not divide!
Without more info and collective data we can’t tell how many have been affected and if they are all linked cases.
All we can do is be cautious and vigilant.

There are three main types of coronavirus in ferrets.
The first we are all aware of is COVID. Our human Covid 19 and all variants including the common cold are all types of coronavirus that can be passed to ferrets. So mask up and practice good hygiene if you are poorly.
We know how it can spread.
Mostly they get over it like us and can often show mild symptoms. Ones with underlying health conditions like humans can come off worse.
This is what’s known as a zoonotic virus meaning it can spread from human to animal.

The second type of coronavirus is FSCD. This is what is thought to of caused the recent deaths.
This is ferret specific.
You can not contract nor pass it on. It is similar to FIP in cats. Highly contagious with a high mortality rate.
Spread from ferret to ferret via saliva and f***l matter.
Various non-specific symptoms, most ‭ ‬commonly ‭ ‬
weight ‭ ‬loss,
lethargy, ‭ ‬
loss ‭ ‬of ‭ ‬appetite, ‭ ‬
vomiting,
dehydration, ‭ ‬
diarrhoea, ‭ ‬
sneezing, ‭ ‬
nasal ‭ ‬discharge,
difficulties
breathing
and palpable abdominal mass‭.‬
Few reports have also described neurological issues,
such as seizures and ataxia.
Clinically, anemia and thrombocytopenia are key features of this disease.
Ferrets may not present all symptoms.
‭The histopathology of FSCV is characterized by granulomatous formation ‬mainly in the mesenteric, lymph nodes, spleen, and kidneys, resembling the dry form of FIP in cats.
While FIP is normally reported to progress quickly some reported cases of FSCD seem to point to a slower progression.
Supportive care with corticosteroids and antibiotics has shown to prolong the ferret’s life for several months, however death often occurs down the line sadly.

The third type of coronavirus is ECE. Or the green slime disease as it’s often known. Many may remember the outbreak all those years ago. My own ferrets and the rescue was effected.
Again ferret specific and highly contagious spread via f***l matter and saliva. Can be spread on items of clothing the same as other viruses.
Mortality rates are generally low with good care. Most deaths occur due to secondary issues due to ferrets refusing to eat, drink and becoming dehydrated.
Clinical signs and physical findings are dependent on the duration of illness before presentation, as well as the age of the ferret and the presence of concurrent illness.

The signs of ECE usually appear as
anorexia,
vomiting,
watery bright green or forest green diarrhea,
which may later lead to’
birdseed-looking stool.
Birdseed stool can be a sign of continued malabsorption.
It is very important not to interpret the presence of greenish stools as a definite diagnosis of ECE. Green stools can simple be the result of a quick transit time of food through the intestines
Young ferrets may exhibit no clinical signs besides mucoid diarrhea. Older animals may exhibit varying degrees of dehydration and anorexia. Clinical signs associated with gastric ulcers may be seen in animals that have been ill for several days.
Ferrets can continue to shed the virus for up to 8months meaning a healthy presenting ferret could carry and spread the virus.
Supportive care is critical.
Gastric support such as stomach liners are helpful to stop ulcers.
Some need antibiotics, mainly for secondary infections and antiviral drugs although many young otherwise healthy ferrets get over it without needing this.
Making sure your ferret is hydrated and eating are key and most recover within a week to ten days although it can take a month for recovery.

There are many other illnesses ferrets can contract and these are just three types of coronavirus.
If your ferret has shown any symptoms or passed away suddenly please speak up or let local rescues know.
Collective data is needed to know how far this has potentially spread. Without post a mortem or other tests we can’t tell sadly. But at the very least we can try to track this to monitor the situation.

03/03/2025

Foster needed in Plymouth or close by for either a hob or Jill. I have one emergency space left here but they are both un neutered so unable to be kept togeather. If you can foster a single while they are done please get in contact. Well handled 7m olds.
Hope to have more room in a few weeks time.

If you’re looking to rehome there’s some lovely ferrets here currently.

20/02/2025

Breeding season is now upon us!
Hobs are now in rut, smelly, greasy, dribbling urine, becoming aggressive towards other boys, even humans sometimes and constantly pestering the Jill’s.

The Jills are also coming into season. Many have been early this year.
The first sign is slight v***a swelling. They become hormonal, often making a nest or even fur pulling. The v***ar will eventually swell to a considerable size and she will be receptive to mating.

The issue this year again is the Jill Jab is no longer available due to the company stopping production.
With that in mind it’s even more important to get them spayed or implanted.
Provided they are over 6m of age ideally older THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADRENAL!
This link is from America (and a few other studies) where they are done at a very young age. There are also many other factors with adrenal which I could write a book on. I’ve had 100s done here and the amount developing adrenal negligible usually at an older age.

Jill’s are 'induced ovulators'. This means they need to mate/have an implant to stimulate the ovaries to release eggs. If the jill does not ovulate, she'll continue to produce oestrogen (she'll stay in season until mated or artificially taken out of season).
But, remaining in season can cause severe health problems for a jill. It can cause alopecia (hair loss), weight loss and even death from oestrogen-associated anaemia (deficiency in red blood cells) and bone marrow suppression due to the oestrogen levels.
It’s something I’ve personally dealt with as a rescue.

If your Jill is left in season for a prolonged period you can run into health issues.
Essentially they can become anemic and can eventually die if left.

In the wild polecats and other relatives would have a male near by already waiting in the wings.

Some jills will often come into season twice a year.

The hormone implant will take them out of season but use it at the first sign.
It can take up to 6 weeks to work.
Some vets are also charging £400 or more.
It often only lasts 18-24m depending on the size of implant given.

Vasectomy hobs are an option although be cautious. Vasectomy’s can fail. Usually in the third year and onwards.
I get unexpected kits each year due to this. So make sure they are proven/tested.
You do run the risk of UTIs, infection, neck wounds and not to mention the mating process is brutal.
But this is the cheapest and most natural option.
V hobs or hoblets will rarely live in harmony with others in mating season. Especially other hobs. Constantly pestering the Jill’s and fighting with the other hobs. Sometimes you’re lucky and you get the odd laid back one who will live with Jill’s.
They are in every essence in mind and body still entire.
It takes 6-8 weeks before a v hob should be used for all viable s***m to of died in the tubes. So don’t use them too early.

We do have a V hob, Austin, who will be here for the Jill’s needing to be brought out of season again this year.

Please be aware if you use any hoblet it carries risks and the worry of 42 days later up to 15 kits appearing if the vet hasn’t done a good job, the hobs used to early, or the cords have knitted back together. So make sure your vhob is proven sterile.
Some that come in are heavily in season and the implant would take to long. Not to mention the costs so a v hob is the best solution in that incidence.

Please get your ferrets spayed/neutered/implanted.

Your Jill won’t die after two weeks being left in season. That’s the time frame you want to think about taking her out of season. Some are receptive to a hob at 10 days, others can take a few weeks.

It’s a proven scientific fact left in season for prolonged periods causes health issues, potentially eventually leading to death. Please feel free to research this.
This is different for every Jill. Do not risk your Jill’s.
You may get away leaving her in season a month or so, some others start to have complications from that point. Some early signs not noticeable by some.
What you never want to do is leave her all summer.
You’ll hear people say they take themselves out of season at the end.
Yes often they do. But by that point damage has been done to her.
It’s sad that there’s still people who refuse to move with the times. It’s a bit like feeding ferrets bread and milk 🙈. Terrible. But sadly still fine in some people’s opinion. Be careful what you take for fact on forums.
Just because someone’s done something their whole life doesnt make it correct or the best option for the ferrets.

15/02/2025

COLLECTED HOME SAFE.
Two ferrets found Plympton St Maurice. If you’re missing one please contact.

12/02/2025

FOUND!
MISSING. Waffle the ferret is missing from Tiverton, EX16 4FU area code. He’s a very friendly chap. Silver hob. Please pick him up if you see him.

11/02/2025

Ferrets and mesh.
Chicken mesh is not suitable for ferrets. No ands, ifs, or buts. Only welded mesh.
Ferrets have strong bites and are very capable of chomping out of chicken mesh. Clawing and biting weakening the mesh until a hole appears. There’s many ferrets that have escaped due to inadequate mesh.
For those who have chicken mesh with no escapes you are lucky. It does not mean your luck won’t run out or a new ferret addition won’t make an easy job of it.
When I have to point out things on home checks such as mesh, size of run etc it’s not because I’m mean, nasty or don’t want the ferrets to go. I will look for the best for any ferrets here. It would be very easy if I didn’t.
I’m only trying to educate. I will not set new homes and ferrets up for problems if a small change can avoid a problem occurring. Such as an escape.
Genuine homes are happy to learn and work with me if something isn’t ideal.
People who get defensive, well let’s just say that speaks volumes and In my opinion It’s not a home worth pursuing anyway.
Ferrets are escape artists. We all know that. So it makes sense to have the most secure area you can create. Welded mesh being a number one priority along with a solid base and plenty of room for them to play, stretch, climb and leap about. Hutch type cages are not adequate space without s decent size run attached.
It’s all very well telling me you let them out every day. I do not know that, I do not know you. So I need to make sure they have the space.
Ferrets welfare and needs are always my priority.

10/02/2025

These cuties will all be looking for forever homes shortly.
Boys are neutered and the girls just about to be done.
All been really sweet and good to handle here. Very playful. Love their raw.
Would be lovely for them to go as a group but also happy for them to go as pairs.
I’m very aware finding a home to take 4 is like gold dust!

Sandy- Sandy 4yr old Jill.
Scratch- Polecat 4yr old hob.
Rosie- Silver 2yr old Jill.
Timmy- Silver 2yr old hob.

31/01/2025

I’m in love with these. Always NEEDED ferret socks in my life!! Now I’m making them. These are standard tube socks with no heel bulb so universal size fitment. There will be others coming soon in a range of sizes and patterns. Tube socks £5.49. (There was a mistake with the prior price)
Standard ankle socks size 4-7 £4.99
Remember you can have your own pictures on them!! Any pet, slogan, or design.

27/01/2025

Home with owner🥰
Ferret found Portsmouth.
Near Gladys Avenue. Sadly no chip. If you’re missing one please get in contact with description/picture.