05 July
2008
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Lauren Harrison
with Coco the ferret |
News and Star
For Carlisle pet-owners, dogs
have had their day. That’s according to Judith Nicholson, manager
of Nu Pets in Lowther Street.
Since she started stocking ferrets a year ago, they have become
her best-selling small pet.
She said: “People are buying them as a family pet, instead
of cats or dogs. It used to be just for hunting.”
Ferret breeder Judith owns 20 of the creatures, selling 40 in the
last two months.
She recently paid £250 for a studio photograph of her own
favourite, a ferret called Mitch.
“They enjoy going for walks, they’ll play with chew
toys and they’ll chase you,” she said.
“While you’re at work they can stay in a cage, then
when you get home they can go for a bomb round the house.”
To tackle the distinctive ferret smell, she gives hers regular baths
and douses them in deodorant. However, other traits are trickier
to deal with.
She said: “They can be a bit vicious when you first get them,
and they don’t think they can trust you. You just have to teach
them who’s boss!”
Like all good pets, ferrets can come with a range of accessories.
As well as leads, harnesses and tracking devices, Judith owns various
tiny jumpers and bandanas.
She added: “I used to be terrified of them. I was off work
for eight weeks, and when I came back, there they were.”
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