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| First thing you need to do when you lose a ferret is STAY CALM Being panicked does not help. There are a couple things that you need to ask yourself: 1. Did I check everywhere in the house for him? 2. Could he have gotten outside? |
| The House: Most ferrets turn up safe and sound in the house somewhere. They find a new spot to explore and either get stuck or go to sleep. Here are some ideas on where and how to check: Items to take with you: Flashlight Squeaky Toy Treats The house needs to be quiet Pick one end of the house to start your search. As you go through each room shut the door if you can. This prevents the ferret from playing "hide & seek" with you. Check through your house carefully, including places where your ferret "couldn�t possibly be." Look inside drawers, under dressers, in hampers, under and inside refrigerators, washers, dryers, dryer-vent hoses, under and inside furniture and beds,and inside/under/on top of cages. Don't forget to look up too when searching. Use the flashlight for the hard to see areas. Use the squeaky toy and treats to help draw him out (if you can't get a good look in something try to reach your hand in with a treat, hold it there for about 15 seconds) Remember, if a ferret can get it's head through an opening, the whole body can fit too. This includes things that they couldn't get into before...(I heard the tragic story of a ferret that slid down the open end of a roll of linoleum that was propped up in a dead storage closet & wasn't found until 3 weeks later. Be sure to check everywhere thoroughly again.) The Outdoors: Items to take with you: Flashlight Treats Squeaky Toy Blanket Photo of ferret Taking your search outdoors is scary. The thought of your baby loose "in the wild" is not a pleasent thought but it could happen. Here are some ideas on where and how to check: Start with a quick walk around your front and back yard. Stay next to your house on this first search. Most ferrets, when exploring a new area will cling to the side of a building or structure before venturing out into an open area. Once that is complete and you haven't found him, start over. Check your backyard and front yard throughly. Look in bushes, trees, flowerbeds, storage sheds, garage and anything that you have piled up. Don't forget to look up also. If your ferret will come to a squeaky toy, take it around the neighborhood squeaking it and calling out your ferret�s name. Don't move too fast (running). This may scare him away if he hears you. Ask your neighbors and especially neighborhood children if they�ve seen your ferret. Kids spend more time outside than adults do and a new "creature" roaming the block will surely catch their attention. Ask permission to enter neighbor�s sheds or garages and ask your neighbors to check their dryer vents to see if the ferret may have climbed into them. Place your ferret's cage or carrier (if you have a live trap for ferrets use that) outside with some of his bedding, food and water in it. Sometimes they can smell their way home. Check the cage frequently for signs of his/her return. - To make it easier to tell if your ferret has been around the carrier, sprinkle flower &/or rake areas smooth. This will make little footprints easier to see. Post notices and pictures of your ferret wherever possible -- bulletin boards at grocery stores, libraries, gas stations, vet clinics etc. Be sure to go back and take them down again once your pet is back, safe at home. Call your local police, animal control, and Ferret Shelters. If possible, give them a picture of your ferret or a very detailed description. Does your ferret have any tattoos or distinguishing marks to make identification easier? Talk to your mailman, newspaper carrier, and anyone else who passes through your area frequently. Place an ad in your local newspaper. Give a detailed description of your pet, when it was lost, and the general area where it was lost. You don�t have to list an address, but be sure to list your phone number. Adding a REWARD may also help. Important Phone Numbers: Police, Veterinarian/Clinic, Animal Control, and Animal Shelter/Humane Society |
| Where to look |