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Ferret Found
updated: Sep 09, 2012, 2:33 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

We discovered a small ferret in our garage! Any ideas on how to capture it? We have 3 grown cats and I don't want the little guy injured.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 317977	2012-09-09 03:02 PM
805 569-1714 You can borrow my new "Have a Heart" trap. I live at top of Olive St.
COMMENT 317980P	2012-09-09 03:11 PM
I think Steve would give you some advice by phone also. He's really good and highly recommended. eRaticators (805) 451-7287 It might be an escaped pet. There is ferret rescue in SB. You might be able to get a phone number for them from animal control.
D8VANILLA	2012-09-09 03:22 PM
Ferrets aren't even legal to have in California, so it must be someone's pet.
COMMENT 317985	2012-09-09 03:25 PM
Probably a weasel.Very common around here.
COMMENT 317996	2012-09-09 03:59 PM
A pit bull will get him out of your garage.
COMMENT 317997P	2012-09-09 04:00 PM
Actually, 996, we need the ferret to get the pit bull out of the neighborhood.
COMMENT 318007	2012-09-09 04:27 PM
Well, I know a ferret is not a weasel is not a mongoose but if I remember my Kipling correctly, you might enlist the services of a cobra to get things moving right along ... but possibly not in the right direction !
COMMENT 318011	2012-09-09 04:43 PM
Use a squeeky toy n see if it responds to that. If it doesn't it might be def or wild. The live trap is a good idea but you must leave it in a quiet spot n use ferret treats from the pet store ,like banana ferret treat, chances are it will be familiar w/ that. Food its not familiar with it will not try. When you catch it take it to Adobe pet hospital n they will give it to ferret rescue. Good Luck wit dat lil ferret
COMMENT 318036	2012-09-09 06:11 PM
Could be a weasel. Look up California weasel online, see what kind of critter it is. A weasel should be left to go its own way, while you keep your cats from attacking it, of course. If it is a ferret, I'd call the person who so generously offered use of that "live" trap, catch the poor little guy, and turn him over to Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network----or call them and see who does ferret rescue, if it IS a ferret.
COMMENT 318041	2012-09-09 06:33 PM
OP here - yes, after some research, it is a common, long-tailed weasel. Leaving the garage door open and hoping he'll be on his way.
COMMENT 318043	2012-09-09 06:37 PM
They like food. Bait a trap.
SCEPTIC	2012-09-09 06:45 PM
Trivia - my neighbor asked for help catching a ferret in her garage years ago. It WAS a ferret and they are illegal but fairly common here. We put up signs and the owner was very grateful - a happy ending. I didn't know we had weasels in SB, but they sure look like ferrets.
SBJULES	2012-09-09 07:08 PM
I didn't know we had weasels here either. Ferrets I've seen.
COMMENT 318054	2012-09-09 07:19 PM
You could probably pick it up, with gloves. If it's a pet, it will be used to human contact. And if it's not domesticated (are there wild ferrets?) you'll be safe with gloves anyway. Then take it to a rescue place.
COMMENT 318065	2012-09-09 07:55 PM
Even domesticated ferrets are very ferocious. A wild one could do some serious damage to a cat.
COMMENT 318068	2012-09-09 08:04 PM
Domestic ferrets aren't ferocious... that's a real dumb thing to stay.
ZENYATTA19	2012-09-09 08:20 PM
Domestic ferrets are typically not vicious BUT have very sharp teeth. They are not afraid to use them when in fear or threatened. Those canine teeth can cause a lot of damage and domestic ferrets should all be vaccinated against Rabies. They are difficult animals to hold if there is a struggle because they roll like an aligator. So basically if you have never delt with these intelligent animals do not try to pick one up even if domesticated!
COMMENT 318097	2012-09-09 08:43 PM
sredni vashtar
COMMENT 318098	2012-09-09 08:44 PM
Encourage it to run for public office. Chances are you won't see it around for the next four years.
COMMENT 318165	2012-09-10 07:07 AM
Stop guessing what to do and CALL Wildlife Care Network. CARE Hospital is open 24/7 and they have their number.
COMMENT 318228P	2012-09-10 09:03 AM
165, CARE is a hospital and pet ER. This weasel is holed up in a comfy place and there's no indication it's injured, thus it's not an emergency. The OP seems totally on top of the situation and has been given some good info and contacts. I assume she knows about WCN and can google their number. I look forward to hearing about a good outcome. I hope the weasel hits the road on his own. WCN Rescue Hotline 681-1080 Animal Rescue Team/Julia DiSieno (805) 896-1859 (ART is NOT to be confused with "Santa Barbara Animal Rescue," which comes up first when googling "animal rescue santa barbara") Santa Barbara Humane Society 964-4777 SB City Animal Control: 963-1513 SB County Animal Control: 681-5285 W.I.L.D.E.S -- Wildlife Information Literature Data & Education Service (They created extensive brochures full of great info, which should be available from animal control offices and the Humane Society). Nancy the Possum Lady ROCKS. This is who to contact for any school education re: wildlife. Their contact list is: W.I.L.D.E.S. Advisory Council Members Santa Barbara Animal Services Santa Barbara County SB 681-5285 Lompoc 737-7755 Santa Maria 934-6119 Santa Barbara City Animal Control 963-1513 (messages only) Santa Barbara Humane Society 964-4777 Agricultural Commissioner's Office 681-5600
COMMENT 318283	2012-09-10 10:19 AM
Where do u live? If u live in the middle of town it's probably someone's pet but if u live in an area like Winchester canyon it's probably wild we have a few native weasels here. I live in Winchester area and have seen them a few times lately. One lives in the storm drain by the park. They're pretty cool to see. They have a few at the natural history museum in the mammal hall
COMMENT 318323	2012-09-10 12:27 PM
Let's hear it for the weasels! Hooray. Long may they live and predate. I'd love to see one. Pretty, pretty.
COMMENT 318372	2012-09-10 02:22 PM
There have been several stories / pictures of Cali-weasel sightings on Edhat recently. Seemingly, most of us had never heard of them before. Makes me wonder if their numbers are growing rapidly here, and if so, why.

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