FNIRS relies on the love and compassion of foster families to care for the ferrets rescued by, or surrendered to, our organization. Potential foster families must go through the same screening process as our potential adopters. Our foster families are varied in their experience with ferrets and FNIRS will attempt to match a foster ferret to your experience.
Being a foster family is a 24/7 job. Sometimes it is heartbreaking, but the joy of seeing a ferret recover from an illness, play and "dook" for the first time, or begin to trust humans is extremely rewarding. There is nothing quite like opening your heart and home to these furry little mischief makers and knowing that you are helping reduce their stress and make them happy while they are searching for a forever home.
In order to qualify, you must:
- Accept a home visit from one of our board members whenever feasible
- Complete the Foster application
- Be willing and able to supply food, clean bedding and litter
- Have time to provide separate play times for the foster ferrets if the foster ferrets do not get along with your existing ferrets
- Be able to bring the foster ferret(s) to our vet if needed
- Be willing to research ferret care, read relevant books such as “Ferrets for Dummies”, and keep your knowledge of ferret diseases and care current
- Sign a foster agreement form.
Our approved foster families are responsible for:
- Caring for the foster ferret as you would your own
- Providing appropriate and sufficient food, clean water, and shelter for all animals in your care to ensure their health, comfort and well-being.
- Asking questions if you are unsure about any information related to ferrets or the foster ferret(s)
- Maintaining contact with FNIRS on a regular basis, via telephone or email, and providing updates on the foster ferret’s health, temperament and general well being.
- Assessing each animal's temperament and health and exercising sound judgment to assure its suitability for future placement.
- Informing FNIRS of any medical problems/illnesses that arise during the fostering period
- Transporting the foster ferret(s) to and from their veterinary appointments as well as notifying FNRIS if the appointment needs to be cancelled and re-scheduled
- Informing FNIRS if you are going out of town so alternate fostering arrangements can be made if necessary
- Informing FNIRS if you are interested in adopting your foster ferret(s) as soon as you have made the decision
- Fostering the ferret until the time of adoption (any exceptions are to be discussed with a FNIRS representative)
- Agreeing that rescued ferrets deemed unadoptable for reasons of health or temperament will remain in the care of an appropriately experienced foster home
- Contacting a director of the FNIRS immediately if the ferret is lost, stolen, injured, ill or deceased and to ensure the recommendations of the directors are carried out.
- Making yourself available should a director contact you for information on the foster ferret in your care, and being willing to meet with potential adopters to help determine compatibility.
If you are interested in fostering ferrets while we look for a forever home, please do the following:
1. Read the Ferrets North Foster Requirements (above)
2. Fill out the online foster application below.
*** Please keep in mind that fosters will come in at very short notice and that ferrets entering our care may be assigned to foster homes based on level of experience and the ferret's health. We will contact you to see if you are still interested in fostering BEFORE the ferret is in our care, but being contacted does not necessarily guarantee that the ferret will be placed with you.
*** We also need experienced homes willing to take on special needs ferrets. Unfortunately, the society would not able to cover most of the medical expenses of these animals; such expenses would be up to the permanent foster family.
