Animal shelters exist because there is a need..

It's a sad fact that not all domestic pets remain with the same family for their lifetimes. Allergies, landlords, financial problems and neglect are often cited as reasons why people place their loving pets in shelters. Stray pets make up the rest of the figure.

While dogs and cats make up a large percentage of displaced pets, domesticated ferrets are sadly catching up. Unfortunately, the majority of our nation's animal shelters do not take in ferrets. Overcrowding, lack of qualified personnel, or conflicting policies about ferrets are but a few of the reasons that shelters turn ferrets away or, even worse, euthanize them.

When the Greater Chicago Ferret Association was founded in 1987, one of our first priorities was to start a shelter for homeless ferrets. The first shelter was in the basement of one of our founders. We then moved to a more modern and spacious facility in Lyons, Illinois. In the years since it began, the G.C.F.A. shelter has taken in over 4800 ferrets. No ferret has ever been turned away for lack of space and many have found loving homes through our adoption and foster care programs.

Ferrets suitable for adoption are usually placed within two weeks of arrival. Adoption fees range between $40 and $70 depending on the age of the ferret.
All potential adopters are screened by an adoptions officer to assure a good match-up.

Ferrets with problems that may place additional financial hardships on adopters are placed through our Foster Program. All veterinary expenses for fosters are paid for by the G.C.F.A. when administered by our veterinarian.

It hasn't been easy!
Costs for providing this specialized kind of shelter run high. Maintaining an All Volunteer staff has helped keep administrative costs low and dedication to the ferrets high. Rent, utilities, food, supplies and veterinary care are paid for out of adoption fees and donations from caring people like you.

That is why we are making this plea for your help! While donations from the public in the past have been enough to maintain the shelter and provide for the care of the ferrets, our shelter population has more than doubled. Therefore, our expenses have also increased. We are in constant need of additional funds to provide veterinary care in both the shelter and our foster homes. 

There are many ways you can help
A direct donation is, perhaps, the easiest and fastest way to put your money to work for the ferrets. It goes directly into the shelter fund and is almost immediately applied to the areas most in need. The form ( see button below) may be used to donate, either in your name or as a memorial to a departed friend. If your company has a matching gift program, show this page to your co-workers and friends (you may copy it if needed) and ask them to contribute.

You may send donations to our veterinary care provider to help offset our growing veterinary bills. Make checks payable to them and note that it is for the G.C.F.A. Shelter bills. The Greater Chicago Ferret Association is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.

As long as there is a need, the Greater Chicago Ferret Association will provide shelter, care and adoptions for stray, abandoned or otherwise unwanted ferrets and provide information about these marvelous, but misunderstood creatures to anyone who asks.

It is our hope that, through education and direct contact, people will gain a better understanding of the domestic ferret as a creature we've come to know and love.