Ferrets USA 2009 Annual

4 | Meet Our Ferret Models
You've seen their faces, now meet some of the ferrets that "star" in our magazine.

6 | A New Kind Of Roommate
Sharing your life with a ferret brings both joy and responsibility.
BY MARY VAN DAHM

14 | Your Ferret's Health Plan
Just like you, your ferret needs a healthcare plan, and we've checked out the available options.
BY AUDREY PAVIA

22 | Befuddling Behavior
Although fascinating and fun, ferrets exhibit behaviors that can puzzle and frustrate their owners.
BY ERIKA MATULICH, PH.D.

30 | The Nose Knows
Owning ferrets doesn't have to mean that your home can't be sweet-smelling.
BY JULIE FOSSA

36 | Facts About Ferrets
Use these 10 ferret facts to determine if you are ready to be a ferret owner.
BY AILIGH AND JOEL VANDERBUSH

42 | Off To See The World
Ferrets don't have to hide away in your home as long as you take precautions and use common sense when you take them out in public.
BY MIKE AND ARITA MORRETT

50 | A Training Journey
Follow the ups and downs of a ferret owner who clicker-trained her ferret using the principles of Karen Pryor's clicker training.
BY TARSHA RIDEOUT

56 | Ferrety Events
Hit the road to meet other ferret enthusiasts, raise money for ferrets and possibly enter your ferret in a show!
BY REBECCA STOUT

62 | Time For Ferret-Ality TV!
Test your reality TV chops by taking the Ferret-Ality quiz, matching the ferret illustration to the reality show it represents. Good luck!
ILLUSTRATIONS BY THOMAS KIMBALL

68 | Sleep Tight
Ferret owners reveal the sometimes silly and sometimes frustrating sleep habits of ferrets.
BY CRYSTAL APILADO

74 | Running Wild
How to easily create an outdoor enclosure that enriches your ferret.
BY BOB CHURCH

1 | Editor's Den

73 | SmallAnimalChannel.com
The website for small animal lovers.
BY CRYSTAL APILADO

80 | Who Are You?
Tell us about yourself to help make the magazine more valuable to you.

82 | How To Brush A Ferret's Teeth
We take the guesswork out of brushing a ferret's teeth with this how-to guide.
BY DEBORAH COTTELL, DVM
PHOTOS BY IAON COTTRELL

86 | How To Trim A Ferret's Nails
This simple guide shows you how to perform this necessary ferret grooming that saves your pet from pain.
BY CLEMENCE TAILHADES

90 | How To Test Your Ferret's Blood Glucose
These step-by-step instructions show how to home-test a ferret's blood glucose.
BY KATHY FRITZ
PHOTOS BY KATHY AND BARRY FRITZ

94 | How To Handle Ferrets
How do you pick up a ferret? How do you hold it? This how-to guide answers all your questions.
BY AILIGH VANDERBUSH
PHOTOS BY AILIGH AND JOEL VANDERBUSH

98 | The Ferrets USA 2009 Photo Contest
Check out the winners of this year's categories — "Bonding Buddies" and "Caught In The Act."
See the rules and categories for the 2010 contest! Click here>>

106 | Directory of Ferret Resources
Ferret shelters, organizations, clubs and associations.

110 | Directory of Ferret-Knowledgeable Veterinarians

126 | Gallery Ads

127 | Classified Ads

127 | Ad Index

128 | The Final Ferret