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Sarah Jeeves with some of the ferrets who need
a new home |
10/28/2009
EveningStar24
MARTLESHAM: Think ferrets and you may remember Compo's mischievous pets
in the popular TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine.
But, according to experts, their undesirable reputation is undeserved -
and now a group of the furry creatures are sharpening up their act and
are on the look-out for new homes.
The RSPCA centre in Martlesham is currently inundated with ferrets and staff
at the centre are calling on animal lovers to help give the friendly bunch loving
homes.
Becky Fox, deputy manager said they currently have a “ferret overload” with a group of 13 of the creatures, known as a business, on site.
“If it is outdoor accommodation there are a few requirements - it must
be like a shed environment with a run attached.
“They are great pets,” she said.
“We are really looking for people with suitable accommodation which could
be indoors or outdoors.
“They need a lot of space so we try to stay away from people who have hutches
to house them if we can.
“Ideally someone with a converted play house, shed or outbuilding would
be great. They do need the space to be able to climb around.”
She said staff were hoping to re-home the animals in pairs, to keep the playmates
already living together in pens at the centre with the same owners.
Miss Fox did warn potential owners to think hard about whether they could provide
everything the playful creatures need.
The animals thrive in the company of other ferrets and humans and so staff are
keen to re-home them with owners who are not out at work all day.
They need a diet of dried food and raw or cooked meat, a constant supply of fresh
water, lots of room to run around and toys to play with.
Miss Fox said potential owners will be required to make a £20 adoption
donation to the centre and assure staff the creatures will not be worked but
will be family pets.
Ferrets are domesticated polecats, generally thought to be descended from the
European polecat.
They are related to weasels, badgers, the wolverine and minks.
Young ferrets are called kits, females are known as jills and males are called
hobs.
They are accomplished diggers with a natural curiosity and are great escape artists,
easily opening doors that are not shut properly.
By habit, the ferret is an exceptionally clean animal.
They can sleep up to 22 hours a day or more, and while they are not nocturnal
they are generally more active at dawn and dusk in the wild.
Like dogs, they can be taken for walks on a lead but they do not have a homing
instinct and could get lost if allowed.
Ferrets have frequently featured on the big screen with roles in films like Kindergarten
Cop where a ferret saves the life of the Arnold Schwarzenegger's life helping
him to bond with the children in his kindergarten class, as well as Harry Potter
and the Goblet of Fire, The Big Lebowski, Ace Ventura, Along Came Polly and Lord
of the Rings. |
