Talk

It's the best way to get a pet, surely? If they're a good breeder, good history etc. What other option would be better?

For small animals a breeder often is the best option. It's not like cats and dogs where shelters are just stuffed full of them, and small animal breeders tend to be much more small scale than some dog breeders.

No its not at all bad to buy from a good breeder. Breeders keep the breeds, types and strains going form one generation to the next.
Without dog breeders we would just get 'a dog'. For those of us who want a specific size or type with known behavior patterns, thats ridiculous.

Ignore the hype and do whats best for you. you want a nice, well handled, well reared pet.

I'm
Jealous I love ferrets

We had ferrets. Wonderful animals. I don't think getting them from a breeder is necessary but getting them from young is. Lots of handling, the right diet and indoor time makes them lovely sociable pets. My dad did 'work' ours but they were still incredibly tame, friendly, non bitey creatures. They smell weird though. A mix of honey and beeswax which wasn't entirely pleasant...

I think in these circumstances it is fine.

Do think about how much time you will have over the course of the animals whole lifetime and whether you need to consider getting two.

I would only ever purchase a pet, regardless of type, from a breeder.

Another MN pariah here who bought a dog from a breeder!

It certainly sounds as if a breeder is the best option for you, OP, all things considered. As it was for us with a dog.

Agree with Baggy about breeders keeping actual, you know, breeds alive, too. Often, predictable characteristics and traits are essential.

Many animals in rescue have come from a breeder. It isn't a guarantee of a better temperament or better grade of animal or whatever.

Can't help with ferrets but I would agree that taking on an animal with behavioural issues as your 1st try is not a good way to go.

If you want to raise from a kit a breeder is the way to go, but then you will need to teach it not to bite. Ferrets are social animals so you cannot have just one so need to consider male/female. If you got a pair from a rescue they should already be neutered and could be trained already. There are pros and cons to both, but there is something about bringing home the tiny ferrets and watching them grow. Please make sure you find a decent vet who knows about ferrets, we took our hob in to be neutered, some months later both jills produced a litter and there were 22 babies wriggling around. Poor thing had to be neutered again with a different vet!

As long as it's a reputable breeder then yes, but not a random off gumtree that claims to be one.

I've always had rescues but now I will always go to the best breeder I can find that will give me the best chance of finding what fits with my family.

Don't feel guilty, pets are supposed to be enjoyable!