It's a Ferret Life

Ferrets swamp society

Humans aren’t the only ones feeling the crunch of Calgary’s housing market.

Molly Jo, Desmond, and Shelby are just three ferrets that have been left behind in empty rental units by owners who chose not to bring them along when they moved.

Since June, seven of the furry weasels have been turned in to the Ferret Rescue and Education Society (FRES) by landlords or someone else who found them, and four have been surrendered by the owners themselves when they moved, said education director Sheila Garland.

FRES, which a group of local ferret owners began in 2002, now has a total of 60 ferrets in foster care, she said.

“We’ve never had so many ferrets in foster care,” she said.

“Last year we were full when we had 30.”

Also since June, 11 ferrets have been surrendered for other reasons, such as for behaviour problems, and four have been found by other people, often times after the pets’ owners let them go in urban or wild areas.

And since then, the society has received four or five ferrets a week––before it accepted four or five a month, she said.

Garland said it’s not certain why people leave their ferrets behind, but expects it’s because of the reduced availability of units that allow pets in the city.

Garland encourages that people make informed, committed decisions about their pets and think about what they would do with them if they move.

To adopt, foster or volunteer call FRES at 567-3737 or visit www.ferrets.ca.