Ferret breeders are individuals who breed ferrets in order to sell them, either to individual buyers interested in such exotic pets or to pet stores. Like other kinds of breeders, ferret breeders are responsible for the care of their ferrets and ferret offspring, also known as kits, for as long as the animals are in their possession. People who want to breed ferrets should first check their local and national laws regarding owning ferrets as pets as well as any rules and regulations for becoming a breeder.
For ferret breeders, the safety, health, and well-being of their ferrets are issues of primary concern. Breeders must provide their ferrets with safe and sanitary breeding and living conditions. Most breeders do not breed more ferrets than their accommodations can handle. This means they must think about their available space, food and water supplies, cleaning considerations, and time spent providing their ferrets with plenty of playtime and exercise. Failing to properly care for their ferrets means breeders risk the health of the animals, as well as their chances of selling them.
Ferret breeders must work within the local and national laws that govern ferret ownership and breeder requirements. In other words, a person who wants to breed ferrets must first find out if ferrets are allowed as pets in his area, and then find out which rules and regulations he must follow to become and work as a breeder. Depending on where the potential breeder lives and works, this could become tricky. For example, not all states in America allow ferrets as pets, and some that do require either registration or a license to have the ferrets. At the same time, breeder regulations can vary by area and some areas might not include ferret breeders in those laws.
Usually, buying a ferret from a pet store is just like buying other kinds of house pets, but purchasing ferrets from breeders can take a few more steps. Buyers interested in purchasing ferrets directly from breeders should check their local listings, animal- and pet-related magazines, and websites about ferrets and ferret breeding. Some websites and organizations list ferret breeders by area. Buyers should interview the breeders they’re interested in, as well as visit their business locations to check the breeding and living conditions of their ferrets. Often, past customers will be willing to support a good quality breeder and warn potential buyers about bad services, so it’s a good idea to obtain references from each breeder’s past customers, too.