"I found WFRS through a search online and went to check out the shelter one evening after work with a friend of mine. I already had two ferrets, but when I saw Chloe somehow I knew I needed a third ... she had been left on the doorstep of her home, in a shoebox duct-taped shut with no food or water ... I love her dearly, and am so glad an organization like WFRS is around to help ferrets like her find loving homes like mine"

Heather O.

Visit our Happy Tails! page for more stories like Chloe's.

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Rehoming ferrets: Adoption and Surrender

One of the primary objectives of the Washington Ferret Rescue & Shelter is to ensure that every ferret is placed in a loving, secure and healthy environment. We are a well-established, 501(c)(3) non-profit that is nationally known. Please email us at washingtonferret@yahoo.com or call us at (206) 442-2025 if you need to place your ferrets or are interested in adopting.

Please also contact us if you or your organization needs to surrender a ferret. Let us know a little bit about your situation in your message, to help us determine the best and most efficient way we can assist you. We will contact you ASAP to make arrangements. There is no surrender fee. Keep in mind that most county and municipal shelters do not have the necessary food, housing and staff trained and ready to properly care for ferrets. We do. We are also closely linked with other ferret shelters and veterinary specialists in Washington, and we have a strong network of foster homes and animal responders.



We always have ferrets ready for adoption. Visit our Happy Tails page for inspiration! But before you consider adopting a ferret, please do spend some time learning about them. You'll find some great information on our About Ferrets, Videos and Resources pages of this website. You can also read our brochure about ferrets and ferret care.

Adopting from Washington Ferret Rescue & Shelter

At Washington Ferret Rescue & Shelter, the priority is to make sure ferrets entrusted to us find the perfect home. This means we'll need to get to know you, so that we can find the right match between the ferret(s) and the family. Specifically, when you adopt from us, you can expect the following:

1. We do not generally do same-day adoptions.  We believe that it is critical to get to know you and for you to have all of the information to be successful with your new family member, and that we take the time to match you up with the perfect friend.
2. When you come to the shelter, you must bring all of the ferrets in your home, and they must be up to date on their vaccinations (Rabies and distemper).  We also request that all members of the household come, so we can match your family with the best ferret(s).
3. You'll fill out an Application. This may be done in advance. The application covers many factors which make a big difference in how successful the ferrets will be in your household. We're happy to discuss any questions you may have about it.
4. Expect to take time at the shelter.  It's not a quick process, as the priority is to make sure that ferrets are going to the best home for them.  They have been homeless once, and it's our job to make sure that when they go to a new home, it's forever.
5. We will go over the application and discuss anything which you or we have questions about.
6. We will talk about ferrets, health concerns, vet care, and make sure you're ready to be successful with ferrets in your home.
7. In that process, we'll get to know you, and get a feel for the personalities in your household, which will give us a feel for what ferrets might be a good fit with your home.

Most of our ferrets are healthy, lovable, easy-going pets that would be great for both first-time and experienced ferret owners. Some of the ferrets in our care have health or behavioral issues, and are therefore only suitable for placement with experienced caregivers. Whatever your needs, our adoption advisers will be happy to help you find the ideal match!

If you're looking to add to your ferret business, we ask that you ensure that your current ferret(s) are up to date on vaccinations, and that you bring them with you to the shelter.  That way we can make sure that your ferret(s) get along with the ferrets here.  It always works best if we let the ferrets pick out their new buddies.

The adoption fee for each ferret is $200 for one ferret and $100 for each additional ferret in a group. We will negotiate a fee with you for groups of three or more. These fees are needed to help pay for food, housing, medical care and other operational expenses. We are all volunteers, so these fees go directly to support the ferrets. As a no-kill shelter that does not turn away ferrets due to age, chronic illness or injuries, our expenses add up quickly. Please visit our Donate page for information about how you can help.

All of the ferrets at WFRS have been vaccinated against canine distemper and rabies, are spayed/neutered, and (unless specified otherwise) descented. They have also been treated for fleas and earmites, had their toenails trimmed, and teeth inspected and cleaned when necessary.

Before you adopt a ferret, you'll have plenty of opportunity to interact with potential new members of your family. Cuddle and play with them in the shelter. Ask us as many questions as you want. If you need a cage or carrier, we can help with that too! We're open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Google Map directions are here. And feel free to contact us in advance if you have any other questions or concerns.

If by chance things don't work out for you and your ferret, the shelter will always take the ferret back, regardless of the circumstances. Moreover, the adoption fee is refundable up to 7 days.