About Us
The American Ferret Association is a no-kill shelter dedicated to providing love, care and protection for the domestic ferret.
As our name clearly states, we always put the FERRETS FIRST, keeping every individual ferret's health, happiness and well-being foremost in our minds and in our decisions every step of the way.
We are devoted to rescuing ferrets who have been lost or neglected, are unwanted, abused, abandoned or who for other reasons are in need of a new home. Offering them hope, emotional and physical healing and love for the time they spend with us. Through diligent, on-going efforts by screening and home visits with prospective adopters, we seek to place them in a safe environment with responsible human care-givers, never to be in need or displaced again. Our goal for them is to know only contentment and happiness for the rest of their days.
We feel strongly that, to be worthy to call ourselves a shelter, we must be open to ALL ferrets who need us, regardless of history, age, health, physical appearance, or level of need.
Though many young, healthy ferrets come through our doors and are adopted out, we solemnly recognize and accept our parallel responsibility to those with greater needs, the sick or elderly. It is these ferrets, along with those who have been misunderstood or mistreated, so much so that they no longer trust humans and have learned to bite or act out their fears in other ways, who need us most. We accept our obligation to these as well, with no regrets. We are here for them all.
AFA will never discriminate, in fact, we strive harder to keep our doors open for those with the greatest need. Some of these with special needs or who are of advanced age are eventually adopted out to people who are willing and able to provide for all their needs in a home setting. Some eventually go to foster homes, where they receive the same care they would if adopted. The remainder stay here at the shelter where all their medical needs are met, as well as their individual need for playtime and human interaction on a daily basis.
So, when someone adopts or fosters a ferret from AFA, they not only help the little fuzzy they take home with them, but they help another ferret in dire need by opening up a space for him/her, and potentially many more in the future.
Our secondary function is education. We are here to inform and provide resources for owners and non-owners alike, who want to learn more about all aspects of ferrets and their care. We are here also to educate the general public about ferrets at every opportunity. We do this because we believe strongly that greater education will mean fewer and fewer ferrets ending up unwanted, abused, abandoned, neglected, lost, etc… It would be wonderful to see the day shelters were no longer needed, for ferrets or any other animal.
Through all these efforts, we strive to make the world a better place for ferrets and their companion humans.