A new family member!

Research is the first and foremost gift you can give your new pet, and you'll want to do it before you bring her home. There could be special things your little friend needs that you didn't consider; they could need a more substantial amount of space than you perhaps realized; they could be prone to diseases or need particular immunizations... There are many reasons to look into your pet before buying it-- No matter how popular the pet is, like a hamster, cat, or even something as simple as a betta fish.

How to Research
There's some good information in the "Got Kids?" section, but in a nutshell, here are the places to look:
-Library
-Bookstores
-Petshops
-Shelters
-Zoos and other nature programs
-the Internet

The internet resource should be used sparingly (oh the irony ), seeing as how many people out there have no idea what they're talking about. How are you to know which people are experts, and which are professionals? Do you know the difference between an expert and a professional? An expert is someone who knows darn near everything there is to know about a subject, whereas a professional is payed (thus being his "profession") to give you answers about given subjects. While professionals definately know some stuff, the experts are the ones you want.

Be wary of getting all your information from one source. Cross reference everything. Your friend may have that ferret that gave your family the idea behind getting a new pet, and it looks healthy enough, but how do you know what a healthy ferret is supposed to look like?

Make a list of things you want to find out, and record the answers from each source. Which ones make sense? Which are the most common answers? Which ones could use a little more researching? Again, the best thing you can do is to find an expert to talk to. Now, I would recommend my petshop coworkers, but not all petshops, even by the same name, are alike. Test your local expert with a few questions about your pet... Since we've dragged our friendly ferrets into this one, we'll use it as our Guinea pig

Here are some good starter questions. Keep in mind, "I don't know," is an acceptable and honest answer, as long as your expert is willing to help you search out the information. Example answers in Italics.

"Do you know anything about ferrets?" A bit, what can I help you with?
"What is the average price for a domesticated ferret?" Normally, you're looking anywhere between $90 and $150, depending on location.
"Are ferrets legal in this state?" Yes, however if you intend to take any trips to California, or a few other states, your ferret will not be permitted.[i]
"Are your ferrets already devoid of stink-glands?" [i]Yes they are. Most retailers will provide their musky pets without the "stink".
"Is a ferret a rodent?" A rodent is characterized by it's long, continuously growing incisors. Ferrets have a mouth similar to a cat; therefore, no, a ferret is not a rodent.
"How long do ferrets live?" About ten to fifteen years is average. A ferret older than seven is considered a senior.
"What are you currently feeding your ferrets?" Our ferrets are eating our store brand ferret food, "Pet Shop Food: Ferret". We recommend starting your pet on this diet, and changing it gradually if you would prefer a different food.
"Do you have any reading material available?" We have many books and magazines, as well as some free brochures that you can take home with you.
"What sort of supplies will I need?" Of course you'll need a cage, food, and bedding... We can walk around and make a list of items and prices too, when you're ready.
"What is considered 'normal' ferret behavior?" Ferrets are rambunctious and curious, and oftentimes need to be trained what sort of playing and roughhousing is acceptable. They are most like a mix between a dog and a cat.
"Is there anything else you can tell me about these animals?" Many states require ferrets to be vaccinated. You'll need to make sure you can locate a vet for this, and for other emergencies. There unfortunately aren't many veteranarians for small and/or exotic pets.

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Now that you've got a decent idea, perhaps it would be a good idea to form a list of questions to bring with you to ask your local experts. Vets are a great resource!