quick links:

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Locate a Ferret Club
​Locate a Ferret Shelter

start a ferret club

Finding a ferret club near you may not be possible.  But have you considered starting one?
If so, here are 4 Key Goals that your new Ferret Club should aim for:
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Information
Education
Support
Entertainment

information

Whether or not your club has a formal structure under a Charter or Corporation, all depends on the amount of time and effort you and your members want invest in the organization.  A lot can be accomplished even without a formal organization.  A Ferret Club should be able to gather the following information:  

• Copies of local ordinances, regulations, laws governing ferrets in your Club’s jurisdiction  (city, county, state).    This information should be collected and kept in a user-friendly format, such as at the club’s headquarters, or at a club website.
• List of local resources, if any exist within your club’s jurisdiction:   
• Ferret-knowledgeable veterinarians (if any exist locally);
• adoption-rescue-shelter organizations
• pet equipment (food, cages, etc.)
• List of regional and national resources:   other clubs in your county or state, national organizations, websites, etc.

support

Providing support to your Club Members and local community is a very important Goal for any Ferret Club. Members should feel that they are part of a larger community.   They may call upon the Club, when support is needed:

• Future Ferret owners
• New Ferret owners
• Shelters that need help caring for ferrets or placing them with new homes
• Owners with a sick ferret
• Help in finding a lost ferret
• Empathy in handling the grief of losing a ferret for any reason

education

Another Goal or your Ferret Club should be to educate both your club’s Members and the Public.  Once you announce that you are planning to start a Ferret Club in your area, others may join in. 
At each gathering, try and spend part of the time discussing what you want to accomplish as a Club.   What are the reasons for starting a local Ferret Club?     
Your meetings should also set aside time to discuss important topics.   These can be questions about health, proper handling and care, how your family feels about ferrets, your ferret’s behavior towards other people, children, other animals, etc.).    New or future ferret owners often want to know how to handle or care for their ferrets.
Suggested activities:

• Ask a local veterinary health professional who has experience with ferrets to speak on a particular topic.
• Plan a “show and tell” session at a local pet fair, elementary school, or 4-H club, etc.
• Give presentation to a local non-ferret designated shelter about shelters and make them aware that your club exists.       

entertainment

One of the most important roles a local ferret club should be a sense of friendship, fun, and community.  Knowing others who are passionate about their pets and who enjoy talking about them is a wonderful hobby. 
Building long-term friendships is rewarding, and opportunity not to be missed!