Ferrets and Friends, LLC
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Who We Are

A smiling person is holding four ferrets at once. Two of the ferrets are brown, one is silver, and one is white
From Left to Right: Jack, Ramona, Samson, Gambit

Our Mission

We value the quality of life of our animal friends and the potential impact that they can have on different individuals.

We believe that animals can be an excellent way for children to learn social skills such as respecting boundaries, reading body language, and practicing empathy.

We believe that animals can demonstrate the importance of diversity and encourage children to accept differences among their peers.

We believe that children learn best when they are encouraged to think for themselves. We help children investigate why animals are the way they are and how their features are adaptive to their environments.
​
We believe that these experiences should be accessible to people of all backgrounds.  We are happy to work with communities to bring these unique experiences to their neighborhoods.
An 8 year old girl is holding a brown ferret in her lap while smiling
Alex with their first ferret, Diamonds

Our History

Alex Byrne (founder of Ferrets and Friends, LLC) has always had a love for ferrets.  Their first ferret was a sable girl who they named "Diamonds". Over the years, Alex has had over ten ferrets.  Alex says that it was their intense curiosity and expressive enthusiasm for life that sparked a lifelong passion for ferrets.

​One day, Alex was working at a day program for adults with developmental disabilities when they had an idea.  After a visit from a pet therapy dog, Alex noticed that some participants were uncomfortable with the large and unfamiliar animal.  Alex was inspired to bring their young ferrets, Gambit and Sophie, to work with them.  The ferrets' small size and natural curiosity made them a favorite activity for many of the day program participants.  


When Alex moved to Maryland, they became involved with Pets on Wheels to help "lick loneliness" with their therapy ferret, Gambit.  Alex also began performing animal shows with Painted You, a local children's entertainment company.  Alex knew that they wanted to start their own business; one that focuses on not just teaching about animals, but also building social skills and sharing the joy of interacting with animals.  In 2016, Alex started Ferrets and Friends, LLC.
Alex originally started working in animal entertainment as a side job while attending school.  They were able to graduate with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's degree in Social Work before becoming licensed as a social worker. 

Alex spent about a decade working in crisis services including suicide prevention, domestic violence, and working as part of a police-partnered mobile crisis unit.  This work has helped Alex develop compassion and understanding for the full spectrum of human experiences.  Now, Alex can be found working in a quiet office in the evenings providing outpatient therapy.  You may find some familiar animal friends in Alex's office when they provide animal-assisted therapy sessions.

Alex shares their home with all of the animal ambassadors.

Picture
Alex with Jubilee the Harlequin Macaw

Our Animal Friends

We currently have about 60 animal friends from over 40 species.  We have millipedes, tarantulas, frogs, salamanders, tortoises, lizards, chameleons, snakes, parrots, ferrets, chinchillas and a hedgehog.  We are proud to offer a larger diversity of animals than any other service in the area.

We have animals from most continents and types of environments that range in size, shape, and color.  With such a variety, even the most timid child can find an animal friend that speaks to them.  Sometimes literally if it's one of our parrots!

Most of our animals have been socialized from a young age to enjoy interacting with people.  We sometimes accept rescue animals, but they might not be used in shows depending on their temperament.
Mammals:​​
  • Pabu (Ferret)
  • Abu (Ferret)
  • Diego (Ferret)
  • Kira (Ferret)
  • Alba (Ferret)
  • Luca (Ferret)
  • Bumi (Chinchilla)
  • Sokka (Chinchilla)
  • Kwame (Hedgehog)
  • Olivia (Hedgehog)
  • Aoife (Bunny)
  • Saoirse (Bunny)
  • Kiely (Bunny)
  • Blossom (Dwarf Rat)
  • Bubbles (Dwarf Rat)
  • Buttercup (Dwarf Rat)

​Birds:​
  • Domino (Green Cheek Conure)
  • Quito (Quaker Parakeet)
  • Amaya (Sun Conure)
  • Rishi (Alexandrine Parakeet)
  • Missy (Eclectus Parrot)
  • Jubilee (Harlequinn Macaw)
  • Zuri (Ringneck Dove)
  • Kanai (Ringneck Dove)
Lizards:​​​
  • Tariq (Leopard Gecko)
  • Kamal (Yellow Niger Uromastyx)
  • Maui (Panther Chameleon)
  • Hakim (Veiled Chameleon)
  • Loki (Blue Tongue Skink)
  • Hiccup (Chinese Water Dragon)
  • Jasmine (Chinese Water Dragon)
  • Kimba (Bearded Dragon)
  • Sierra (Argentine Tegu)

Snakes:​
  • Delilah (Hognose Snake)
  • Kenyan Sand Boa
  • Corn Snake
  • Honduran Milk Snake
  • ​Natasha (Milk Snake)
  • Felix (King Snake)
  • Maria (Rainbow Boa)
  • Jannali (Carpet Python)
  • Ball Python
  • Devon (African Ball Python)​
  • Thor (Colombian Red-tail Boa)

Tortoises:
  • Queen Bea (Red Footed Tortoise)
  • Bennifer (Red Footed Tortoise)
  • Emir (Russian Tortoise)
  • Jiang (Reeve's Turtle)
  • Leopard Tortoise
​Amphibians:
  • Herbie (South American Horned Frog)
  • Sanaa (African Bullfrog)
  • Ximena (Red Eyed Tree Frog)
  • Pedro (Red Eyed Tree Frog)
  • Ama (Spotted Salamander)
  • Gloria (Barred Tiger Salamander)
  • Carlos (Barred Tiger Salamander)
  • Paula (Barred Tiger Salamander)

Invertebrates:​​
  • American Giant Millipedes
  • Brazilian Black Tarantula
  • Buffy (Arizona Blonde Tarantula)
  • Ophelia (Mexican Fireleg Tarantula)
  • Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches


Domestic Cats:
  • Peach (Orange Tabby)
  • Dexter (Siamese Mix)

A brown ferret and white bunny are sniffing each other's noses
We have ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas, and a hedgehog.  Learn more about their individual personalities here!
Meet Our Mammals
A red and blue parrot reaches towards a grey parrot and appear friendly
We have a variety of parrots that can fly, talk, and do tricks.  Check out our individual personalities here!
Meet Our Birds
A black and white lizard sticks out its long tongue
We have cute tiny geckos to large impressive lizards that will wow your guests.  Check out the variety here!
Meet Our Lizards
An orange and black snake is resting in a person's hand
With a variety of sizes and colors, we have friendly snakes that even timid guests will appreciate!
Meet Our Snakes
An individual is holding a tortoise
Our tortoises are great for outdoor events and large community events, but our amphibians are great for a smaller crowd.  Check out the descriptions here!
Meet Our Tortoises and Amphibians
A tarantula is crawling our of a jack-o-lantern decoration

Our Invertebrate Friends

We also have the following invertebrates available:​
  • Giant African Black Millipedes
  • Palomino Blonde Tarantula
  • Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Services

Educational Shows
Animal Meet and Greet
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Staff
    • Join Our Team
    • Our Partnerships >
      • Pet Therapy
    • FAQ
  • Our Animal Friends
    • Our Mammals
    • Our Parrots
    • Our Lizards & Chameleons
    • Our Snakes
    • Our Tortoises and Amphibians
  • Classroom
    • Science Programs
    • Art Programs
    • Social/Emotional Programs
    • Virtual Programs
  • Parties & Events
    • Private Parties
    • Community Events
    • Virtual Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Blog