I found an escapee last night.  Borrowed a cage, made her a box cave, played with her until she was tired today and now she is sleeping.  I don't know if I want a ferret. I have 4 chickens, 3 cats and a dog. I am looking for her owner but having a tough time since they are illegal here- I am not sure owners really willing to admit they lost her (or maybe I am afraid to give her back to bad owners). I have been doing research and I am not sure I know what I am getting into.  I am willing to give it a try but want your opinions.  I think she is sweet, my cats are terrified and my dog is curious.  She cannot really roam my house- too many little issues. She can however hang out in my teenagers room for a short time everyday.   

If you are in california, there are many vets who treat ferrets.  You could call and ask if you could put a note on their bulletin boards, or ask them how you could go about searching for the owner.  You can also go into pet stores and find ferret food and other supplies.
Don't assume that the owners were bad.  Ferrets are amazing escape artists.  I've lost a couple myself, and went mad searching for them.  If you have craiglist or other online classified ad site in your area, you could post there.  There is also a group called ferrets anonymous  http://www.ferretsanon.com/  where you might find help or tips.  


Good luck.  If you need help, come on back and we'll offer what we can.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

The ferret has been returned to owner against my better judgement.  I can absolutely assume that these people should not own a ferret- hippie RV travelers that have duct taped areas on their rig.  I am not against hippies or RV travelers but if you lived in Humboldt County you would know exactly the kind of people they are.  They are lucky they lost her here in the city and not up on one of our mountains.  We have predators, ferret are predators when lost on a hill and she could have died a lonely, lost ferret. I have chickens and if she would have gotten into my coop... it would not have been a good thing. The ONLY reason I returned her is because they posted on Craigslist.  They did not even bother to ask the neighboring houses if they had seen her.   I love ferrets- never owned one but I know why you all spend so much time and care with them.  Thank you- this forum would have been great if I was to continue to be an adopted ferret mom. 

I'm glad you found her home.  There are some of us who are less well off than others, but I make some serious sacrifices so that my ferrets can get what they need.  I have been through some serious hard times in the past few years, but my fuzzies never suffered for it.   As you said, the fact that they even posted shows that they care.  Most ferrets that escape their homes are never returned, and they have little chance of survival after a week at best.  Good job.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD