Sorry to bring this to the board but I need some help.  Do things like this only happen to me??? 

Last night Scott was feeding our outside dogs and they had something cornered in the fence.  He thought it was a possum and tried to get it out of the fence to keep the big boys from killing it.  Yes, it bit him.  Dylan came running into the house saying "MOMMY, DADDY NEEDS YOU OUTSIDE NOW; SOMETHING IS EATING HIM UP".  Off I go, leaving Danica in the bed asleep.  I run outside to find Scott freaking out trying to keep the dogs away from this critter and his hand bleeding (a little scratch only) and YES he will be going to get a tetnas shot this morning), I tell Scott to run get a flash light and while he's gone, I talk to the animal and it let me pick it up and put it over the fence hence saving it from the dogs.  When Scott got back with the flash light we shine it over the fence and the critter is still there.  The more I looked at it, the more I was thinking... this isn't a possum... a possum would have run off; I run inside grabbed a towel and went around the fence and picked it up and brought it inside and checked it out and I do believe it is a ferret...??? 

Now, for the questions... How the heck do you take care of a ferret?? I gave him some water last nigth and this morning I gave it some cat food and it ate it and then let me hold him.  I let him walk around in the hallway for a few minutes.  He/She is very curious about things.  Do ferrets live in cages? How on earth could this little thing have escaped from wherever he came from? I've never seen flyers saying "Missing Ferret"???

Do they need rabie shots? Do you take them to the vet? You all know I've had dogs & cats all my life and am currently the proud mommy to 10 dogs and 2 cats.  Will they all get along?? 

If you have any answers for me, please PM me or post please. 

Dylan said he wanted Santa to bring him a hamster or guinea pig but we just may have a ferret now.... Dylan says we should name him Rudolph and call him Rudy.  WOW, does the insanity ever stop? LOL

Thanks for any responses.

Dixie

A ferrett is very much like havinf a 2 year old in the house all the time.  They get into EVERYTHING.  They can be housetrained but they prefer to do their "business" in a corner.  They do need to go to the vet for shots just like any other pet.  

When left alone inside they do need to be crated to keep them out of mischief.  They can be leash trained.  

Have fun with Rudy   

I love my ferret!! K got him for his birthday in September. They tend to be social animals, but need to be caged as Gwen said when left alone. Ziggy can open his cage and escape, so at night we turn it to the wall ( the door) so he can't get out. They are carnivores, and we buy ferret food. They like to nest, and they are thieves. But ours is very sweet most of the time. He thinks he is a dog!!
Do take him to the vet..

Dixie,  I am amazed at how animals just seem to find you and LOVE you!  I believe God put that animal there for you to take care of just like he does the dogs and cats.  He gave you a special gift.  Ferrett or possum, it must love ya to let it hold ya.  We had a ferrett and they are so loving.  We didn't have time to devot to it because they are so social and need interaction.  THEY WILL GET INTO EVERYTHING!!  Our's was so loving she would crawl down your shirt and come back up sticking her head out of your collar and wanted to stay there.  HA!  Didn't happen too much!  Enjoy him/her.  I know you and Dillon will spoil her!  God bless you for taking care of it.

My baby Sis has one she keeps it in a cage while they are out . She has a litter box fixed just like you would a cat . That's where he does his business. They are very sweet and lovable.