Breeder Code Of Ethics

Breeder Code Of Ethics

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A pet store is NOT the place to buy a ferret if you can help it.

This list has been put together to help you in your search for your new companion. It has been adapted from an article on responsible dog breeders, but lets face it - responsible breeders, regardless of the type of animal they are breeding, should all be following the same guidelines.

Without further ado, here is the list.

Starting the search:

Contact the IFFB, the AFA, plus any local ferret clubs and ask for their roster of breeders that belong to their clubs. Attend a ferret show. Show catalogs list the names of breeders and often you will find advertisements as well. You will also be able to talk to the owners of the ferrets being shown (though not when they're about to go into the ring) and get some leads that way. Learn all you can about ferrets before you look to buy one. Read the standard, find out about grooming requirements, typical health problems, type of temperaments that are common, etc. Irresponsible breeders hate educated buyers! Price alone should not be a factor in deciding what breeder to buy from. While a high price doesn't necessarily guarantee high quality, a very low price often does not turn out to be a bargain in the long run. Find out what typical prices are for show and pet quality ferrets in your area. Be patient. You may have to wait a few months (or longer) to find the right ferret from a good breeder. This is a very short time compared to the 6 to ten years the ferret will live with you.

Responsible breeders DO:

Belong to their regional, state or local club as well as the national organization.
Are familiar with the "Code of Ethics" of their organization.
Breed in order to improve the breed and produce the best ferrets they possibly can, and usually plan to keep at least one of them.
Ask as many questions of you as you do of them.
Show at least two or three years of serious interest in their breed, i.e. ferret club memberships, show ribbons and Championship titles.
Breed only ferrets that closely match the breed standard and are free of serious health and temperament problems.
Tell you if they think you would be better off with another type of companion or no companion at all.
Provide referrals to other breeders if they don't have anything available.
Use a written contract and guarantee when selling a ferret with clear terms you can live with.
Provide a registration slip, a pedigree, and up-to-date shot/health records with every ferret they sell.
Honestly discuss any special problems, requirements associated with the ferret you are about to buy.
Offers FREE assistance and advice for the life of the ferret.
If, for any reason and at any time, you cannot keep the ferret, will take it back.
Normally limit breeding to only one litter per jill per year.
Have ferrets that are clean, healthy, happy and humanely cared for.

Responsible breeders DO NOT:

Appear overly eager to sell or "get rid of" a kit.
Breed simply to produce kits to sell.
Breed every jill they have, every time she is in season.
Claim that all of their kits are "show/breeding quality".
Claim that they have NEVER had any problems.
Sell kits that are less than eight to ten weeks old.
Sell kits without papers (pedigree, registration slip, health information) or charge extra for the papers.

Phrases to be cautious of in breeder's ads:

"Rare" - This is often because the breeder is using the wrong term for a common trait (i.e. "miniature" for small size) or, the ferrets in question have a trait that no responsible breeder would deliberately produce, either because it is not allowed or is considered a serious fault in the breed standard, and/or is associated with health problems in the breed (e.g. roman nose or an extremely short muzzle). It could in fact mean that the color or trait is not widely recognized, or seen. It does almost always mean that the breeder expects you to pay megabucks for the privilege of owning one.
"Champion kits" - Ferrets cannot be shown until they are four months old. Ferret shows are not that numerous. It takes a long time to become a champion. Maybe the breeder means that the parents are champions. Maybe it means you'd better understand exactly what the breeder is saying before you plunk down any money.
"Show quality" - What does the breeder mean by this? Expected to finish a championship fairly easily? No disqualifying faults? Has "perfect markings and is really cute"? Make sure you understand exactly what this means before you buy. By the way, unless you are serious about breeding and showing there is absolutely nothing wrong with a ferret that is "pet quality".
"Registered" - There are several registries which will register ferrets for a fee. Registration alone is no guarantee of a ferret's quality, or of a breeder's integrity. There is only one registry which has breeders who are willing to sign and live by a "Breeder Code of Ethics".

I.F.F.B. CODE OF ETHICS

Breeding Ethics

The health and well being of my ferrets is my primary responsibility.
I will not practice or promote irresponsible or indiscriminate ferret breeding.
I will have established short term and long term goals for my breeding program, always keeping in mind the continued health of the species.
I will not breed any jills until they are fully mature, i.e. over 10 months of age.
I will not allow any jill to have more than two litters per year.
I will not sell kits under the age allowed in my state and under no circumstance under eight weeks (8) of age.
I will register all of my breeding ferrets and their litters with the understanding this data, once accumulated, can become a valuable research tool in ferret health and/or genetic studies.

Business Ethics

I will provide a health guarantee (minimum 14 day) and record of vaccinations including date given with every kit I sell.
I will have a sales contract for every pet and/or breeder. Pet contract will include a spay/neuter clause if the kit is not already altered. Both will include an agreement by seller to take ferret (s) back for any reason and for purchaser to return ferret(s) to original breeder in the event the ferret(s) can no longer be kept.
I will give accurate background information on all ferrets I sell or otherwise transfer.
I will not charge extra for registration papers, rather, they will be included in the price of the ferret.

CODE

I breed only those animals which closely match the standard and are free of serious health and temperament problems.
I will advise a prospective buyer to choose a different companion animal (or none at all) if I feel they would not take proper care of mine.
I will provide referrals to other breeders if I don't have anything available.
I will provide a written contract with clear terms which will state in part that the animal must be brought back to me in the event it can no longer be kept.
I will provide a registration slip (if available for my species) and an up-to-date shot/health record with every animal I sell.
I will not sell any of my animals before they are properly weaned.
I will not breed simply to have animals for sale, nor will I breed my animals more than is recommended for the species.