The permission depends on his report, and must be renewed every second year. I run an organisation, the Swiss Fancy Ferret Society, similar to ferret clubs abroad. The main purpose of the society is the general wellbeing, suitable nutrition and medical care of ferrets. We have no shelters or ferret rescue organisations here. The S.F.F.S. does not promote the ferret as an companion animal, but offers any possible help and advice to breeders, pet owners and veterinary surgeons, at no cost.
Ferrets are still exotic animals to the public, but also to most veterinary sur geons.
We do have some highly qualified veterinarians spezialized in zoo animals, but the local vet is naturally the one to see, if help is needed. The right medical at tention and medication for ferrets are not always known. The main reasons to seek medical care for ferrets are unmated jills with the re lated problems and unsuitable nutrition, next to the common illnesses. Some jills do die of aplastic anaemia, but the diagnosis is often not correct. A leaflet for the veterinarian helped a lot and was quite a success.