Lost & Found
If you have found a ferret
Call our Ferret Rescue Service on 1300 133 323 to have the ferret collected. WAFFS collects and houses ferrets while trying to locate his/her owner.
If you have lost a ferret
Call our Ferret Rescue Service on 1300 133 323 to let us know, or check if WAFFS is already holding your ferret
When you recover your ferret please inform us (Ph 1300 133 323).
Because ferrets are extremely curious creatures, given the opportunity, they will want to explore as much of the world as they possibly can. They are not "running away from home" but rather, being true to their unique ferret nature. More often than not, they cannot get home again for various reasons. The world at large is not a safe place for ferrets due to dogs, traffic, extreme weather conditions and people who kill them because they "don't know what they are". You need to get your pet back home safely as soon as possible.
1. ALERT YOUR NEIGHBOURS
This may take a bit of courage if you don't know your neighbours very well, but is the most likely place to find your ferret. Most found ferrets are reported to the Ferret Society by a neighbour who was not aware that a ferret lived on the other side of the fence! Take a picture, or another ferret with you, because some people do not know what a ferret looks like. By calling your ferret, using a squeaky toy or bell, banging a dinner dish, or any other sound that is familiar to your pet, you may be able to coax it out of hiding. (Dogs barking nearby could indicate the location of your ferret).
2. PUT A SIGN UP IN YOUR FRONT YARD
A simple sign such as FERRET MISSING will do. Just make it large and conspicuous. This has met with success many times as people who spot an escaped ferret will often be on the lookout for any sign of where the ferret comes from.
3. SEARCH DOOR TO DOOR
Once more, armed with a picture of a ferret, do a door knock of your neighbourhood, including the streets behind your home as well as over the road.
4. PHONE LOCAL VETS , PET SHOPS & SCHOOLS
Leave your name and phone number at vets & pet shops in case it is some time before your pet is located. Ask the schools if they will put a notice over their public address system or in their newsletter.
5. DO A LETTER BOX DROP
It helps if you have access to a photocopier of course. If you keep your message short, 4 leaflets can fit on an A4 sheet. Don't forget to mention that this is a family pet which is missing and won't bite (if this is true).
6. PLACE BEDDING, FOOD & WATER AT YOUR FRONT DOOR
Ferrets will often try to return home during the night and may wander off again if confronted by a securely locked door. Familiar bedding and food may encourage it to stay put.
7. ADVERTISE IN THE NEWSPAPER AND LOCAL PAPER
Some papers have a free Lost & Found section, so take advantage of this service Remain vigilant and keep checking places where a ferret could be trapped, eg garden sheds and behind fences. Ferrets have been found alive and well up to 10 days after being lost, so don't give up hope.
8. PUT A 'LOST' POSTER UP AT THE LOCAL SHOPS
If anyone finds your ferret, they may head to the local shops to search for 'lost' posters.