I almost forgot..
Every year, Ferret Enthusiasts {aka Obsessed with Ferrets} gather at the Mother of all AFA-sponsored shows, The Buckeye Bash.
Think of it as the ferret version of Pedigree Dog show...or Eukanuba...
Purebreed ferrets, Rescue ferrets.. Show Ferrets competing against "Pet" ferrets.
Yep, ferrets have their own classifications, and sub-classes.
And depending on said classification is the Temperament...
I don't say breed because it's more Color-Fur-Markings than different "breed" altogether.
many people confuse DEW ferrets with Albino...
An albino looks like a demonic possessed Ferret....red eyes, white white white, with a hint of yellow (their natural Oils tint the fur)
a DEW (dark eye'd white) can have very black eyes, and in most cases, an Albino will be either Deaf, or the next mr. Magoo...
Sometimes both...
Cinnamons look like a semi-auborn haired Ferret, y'know,Cinnamon coloured....
Then there's Chocolate point, Sable & Silver...
anything else falls within those types...
Then there's the Markings...
A sable/chocolate/silver Mitt has a white "Bib" under the neck, and their paws have white mitts...
You'll know you have a Silver or a Sable panda when they reach age 3, and "Blow" their Silver, salt+pepper colored Fur, and become close to a DEW
Many people mistake the Seasonal changes for weight issues...
In Autumn, they oftentimes Pack on the Pudge and start growing "Fluffy" fur, by winter, quite a few (Especially Males) look like they Pigged out, and gained considerable weight...
Males are also Twice as big as a female, normally...
In the Shows, some Markings are disqualification-prone...
Blaze, Angora, and sometimes Badgers....
Biting a Judge is instant Disqualify...
and believe me, the Owners have tried every Lame excuse to get their Ferret pardoned....
My fave has been
"Im terribly sorry, Puffins NEVER did this before, He must be nervous, please please give us a second chance, he's due for Breeding soon."
right, sir, he just out of the blue decided my Judge ribbon looked tasty and clamped on my thumb...gotcha
Here's a few Rescue Links [some are no-kill]
http://www.ferretfriends.org/
http://ferretfriends.tripod.com/
{Yes, the following Link is Anonymous...Ferrets are Illegal to own in the state of California...People still do, and "quietly" share ferre-friendly links, vet names etc}
http://www.ferretsanon.com/
http://www.ferret-fact.org/
http://theeducatedferret.net/default.aspx
http://www.furryferretrescue.org/
http://www.ferretguardian.org/
http://www.ferretsunlimited.org/
http://www.hofa-rescue.org/
i don't provide Breeder websites, because I advocate Adoptions, there's plenty that need a Loving home...
But, if you want to Fork over between 350-500 $ U.S. [depends on Coloring, and Purpose of purchase*Pet/Breeding*], feel free to contact me for a Reputable Breeder..not a backyard one.
