Code of Ethics

Introduction

The following information relates to the keeping of domestic ferrets as pets, as companion animals and as working animals, used in the pursuit of rabbits. These guidelines have been developed as a minimum acceptable standard of care and keeping so as to ensure that ferrets are not mistreated. In joining the SA Ferret Association, each member agrees to the following standards of ferret care.

Housing

1. Minimum space per ferret - a minimum of 0.7 square meters per ferret will be provided
2. Bedding - ferrets will be provided with clean, dry bedding at all times.
3. Exercise - ferrets will be given regular exercise outside of the cage on a regular basis.
4. Security - ferrets will be caged so that they are not able to escape and come to harm.
5. Hygiene - ferret droppings will be disposed of in such a way that smell is minimised and no health hazards result.
6. Neighbours - persons keeping ferrets will ensure that the methods of doing so will not interfere with the rights of neighbours through smell, noises or escapes.
7. Water - ferrets will be provided with clean drinking water at all times.
8. Temperature - ferrets will not be permitted to suffer from heat stress in the hot weather. All reasonable measures will be taken to ensure cages are sited in cool, shaded positions and that ferrets are checked regularly in very hot weather.
9. Cleanliness - cages will be kept clean at all times, with droppings and urine hosed out and stale food scraps removed each day.
10. Spiders & Insects - cages will be kept free of spiders, cockroaches and insect pests which could bite or injure the ferrets.
11. Mites & External Parasites - ferrets will be kept free of mange and ear mites, and all other external parasites.

Handling

1. Picking up - ferrets will be picked up gently and carefully in such a way that no injuries are caused.
2. Aggressiveness - ferrets will be handled frequently and attempts made to reduce aggression and biting.
3. Transport - ferrets will be transported in clean, well-ventilated, cool carry boxes or cages and will not be subjected to exhaust fumes or excessive heat in motor vehicles.

Working

1. Temperatures - ferrets will not be worked when forecast shade temperatures exceed 30oC for the location being hunted.
2. Abandonment - ferrets will never be abandoned when rabbiting is proceeding. Where a ferret lays up, all reasonable measures will be taken to retrieve the ferret on the day it is lost, and return visits will be made when this is not successful. Smoking out will not be attempted since this causes bushfires and may, in any case, kill the ferret.
3. Feeding before hunting - ferrets will never be starved prior to going hunting, but will be fed properly at all times.
4. Water in the field - ferrets will be offered regular drinks during the course of hunting trips since the work they are performing may cause them to become dehydrated, even on moderately cool days.
5. Snakes - all reasonable steps will be taken to prevent ferrets from snake-bite.
6. Foxes & Cats - ferrets will never be deliberately pitted against feral cats or foxes.
7. Cruelty to rabbits - all rabbits caught when ferreting will be killed humanely and quickly. Rabbits will never be sold alive, since this is a criminal offence and will bring disrepute to the Association as well as the offender. Note:the deliberate use of live rabbits for training dogs or ferrets is a very serious criminal offence which may attract a prison sentence!)
8. Hunting Regulations - all hunting laws will be complied with, including the possession of a current hunting permit and permission from the land-owner before going onto his property.
9. Overworking - ferrets will not be overworked. Each ferret will not be worked after it is obviously tired, and in any case, for not more than four hours.
10. Muzzles - Ferrets will not be worked with muzzles fitted, since muzzles can catch on underground snags and will prevent the ferret from defending itself against predators.
11. Dealings with landowners - at all times the landowners property will be treated with respect. Gates will be left as found, stock will not be interfered with, fires will not be lit without permission and restitution will be made for any damage caused.

Breeding

1. Avoidance of inbreeding - closely related or defective ferrets will not be interbred.
2. Number of litters per season - the deliberate breeding of more than one litter per season will be avoided, since this seriously affects the Jill's health.
3. Excessive numbers of young -where possible, members will avoid breeding so many baby ferrets in a single season that there is difficulty finding them good homes. Members agree to make use of alternative means of birth control, so as to only produce enough babies for which good homes may be found.

Selling and Dealing

1. Selling - Ferrets which are sold by members of SAFA shall be in good condition and will be guaranteed to be free of defects. Persons who are, within a reasonable period, unsatisfied with the ferret as purchased, will be entitled to exchange it for another animal, or be refunded the full purchase price.
2. Prices - the prices charged will be reasonable and will reflect the value of the animal.
3. Advertising - SAFA members will be completely truthful when placing advertisements in order to sell ferrets.

Feeding & Nutrition

1. Feeding - ferrets will be fed at least once daily (noting that it is preferable to feed twice or three times). Food will be varied and will consist of a sufficient amount of each food group as to enable the ferret to remain in good condition. Ferrets will not be overfed to the extent that they become obese.
2. Nutrition - ferrets will not be fed exclusively on dry food, or salted processed meats or any other produce such that their health is endangered.
3. Wild Food - ferrets will not be fed (or permitted to eat) live insects or molluscs such as snails or slugs, since the risk of becoming infected with internal parasites is serious. Freshly killed mice or small birds will not be fed whole to ferrets for similar reasons.
4. Stored food - any food which has been stored in bedding or corners of the cage will be removed before it becomes rancid and potentially poisonous to ferrets.

Health

1. Sick Ferrets - all reasonable care will be extended to ferrets which become sick. Proper veterinary care will be sought when medical conditions which do not respond to normal treatment arise and cause the animal distress.
2. Genetically defective or chronically sick ferrets - all animals in this category will be humanely killed unless their disability or illness is not causing them pain or suffering of any kind.
3. Oestrus females - Jill ferrets will not be left in season for periods exceeding two weeks. Jill ferrets which come into season will be either bred, mated with a vasectomised hob, speyed or taken out of season using hormones administered by a veterinary surgeon.
4. De-sexing - ferrets will, in accordance with the law, only be de-sexed by registered veterinary practitioners.

De-clawing and de-fanging - ferrets will not, except in situations where their health requires this as judged by a registered veterinary practitioner, have claws removed, fangs pulled or cut off, or any other mutilations performed.

Public Relations

1. Ferret Image - SAFA members agree to help project the image of ferrets in a positive light, and to steer away from ferret-legging or other activities which perpetuate the poor public image of ferrets as pets.
2. Care for strays and fostering - SAFA members will never refuse to help RSPCA, Animal Welfare League or members of the public to take care of abandoned or unwanted ferrets. Where members can not help directly, they will pass the message on to another member so that the animal is not disadvantaged.
3. Notification - where a member picks up a stray ferret, every effort will be made to find its owner. The pickup details will be registered with the Rescue Coordinator (refer SA Ferret News) as soon as practicable, and the animal will not be sold for at least one month.