cats and ferrets can actually get along quite well...believe me..your cat will not be able to hurt your ferret. She might at first think the ferret is something to eat..but the ferret will let her know she is not prey. Ferrets are pretty tough little...
First of all, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but tell this to your dad. Saying "he's just a little gerbil" is like saying "he's just a little baby." I know that most people value human life more than an animal life, they think that animals can'...
It may be best to keep them apart, as Chinchillas can get stressed easily, causing them pain and suffering. It's also worth remembering that it's a cat's instinct to hunt small furry animals, so make sure they are never loose in the same room togethe...