biostudies-literatureDancer AMMWellcome TrustRoyal Veterinary College1065https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9102951biostudies-literatureUnknown12(9)Ferrets (<i>Mustela putorius furo</i>) are kept and used in multiple sectors of society, but little is known about how they are housed and what environmental enrichment (EE) they may benefit from. We aimed to help guide caretakers about what housing and EE can be provided for ferrets. Through an online questionnaire of ferret caretakers, including pet, laboratory, zoological collection, rescue and working animal sectors internationally, we described ferret housing, opportunities for exploration, EE provision and caretaker opinions on ferrets' preferred EE types, and problematic EE. In total, 754 valid responses from 17 countries were analysed, with most (82.4%) coming from pet owners. Most ferrets were housed socially, with housing varying across sectors from single-level cages to free-ranAnimals : an open access journal from MDPIHousing and Environmental Enrichment of the Domestic Ferret: A Multi-Sector Survey.PMC9102951N/A098418/Z/12/ZDiez-Leon MDancer AMMBurn CCBizley JKfalseHousing and Environmental Enrichment of the Domestic Ferret: A Multi-Sector Survey.Ferrets (<i>Mustela putorius furo</i>) are kept and used in multiple sectors of society, but little is known about how they are housed and what environmental enrichment (EE) they may benefit from. We aimed to help guide caretakers about what housing and EE can be provided for ferrets. Through an online questionnaire of ferret caretakers, including pet, laboratory, zoological collection, rescue and working animal sectors internationally, we described ferret housing, opportunities for exploration, EE provision and caretaker opinions on ferrets' preferred EE types, and problematic EE. In total, 754 valid responses from 17 countries were analysed, with most (82.4%) coming from pet owners. Most ferrets were housed socially, with housing varying across sectors from single-level cages to free-ran2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Apr2025-04-04T22:53:05.967Z2025-02-19T00:55:42.388ZS-EPMC91029513556549210.3390/ani12091065