At last,somebody with a kind word for ferrets

Anne 57, heads Droitwich Ferret Welfare, based near Westwood House, near Droitwich and welcomed in the new year with the announcement 2005 had been the charity's most successful year - with 136 ferrets passing through her care.

She has managed to find loving homes for the majority of the unwanted or injured animals within or just outside Worcestershire and says she can never understand the negative reputation ferrets have been given.

"I am amazed at the perception some people have of ferrets. Even my mum, who loves animals, says 'ugh, dirty, nasty things, you should get rid of them'.

"But the reality is they are intelligent, clean and affectionate animals that make perfect pets for people who take time to understand them and appreciate how much more stimulating they are compared with a rabbit or a guinea pig."

Anne, who is married to charity trustee Bernard, fell in love with ferrets by accident when her neighbour was taken ill and she was asked to care for his four pets. Sadly the man died, but by this time Anne had fallen in love with the strange little creatures of which she had no knowledge or experience.

"Two of the ferrets had litters of kits which I re-homed and then people started to bring me injured ferrets or homeless ones. It all started there really," she said.

Anne was still working full time as the secretary of the British Beer and Pub Association in the Midlands.

However, as soon as she retired in February 2003, Anne knew exactly what to do and on March 1, Droitwich Ferret Welfare was born.

"I knew it was what I needed to do as there is such a need for a charity like mine. There is a lot of ignorance surrounding ferrets and you see such sad sights.

"I cannot believe what a success it has been. It is going from strength to strength, I am delighted."

When asked if she found it hard to let go of ferrets she had reared or nursed back to health, Anne explained it was difficult but that all ferrets were always, ultimately under the care of the charity and would be returned if the owners could no longer care for them.

"There are obviously always special ones that stick in your mind, though, like the one found in Crowle with no tail. It had been cut off.

"But she recovered beautifully and now has a wonderful new home. There was also Mr Chuckles who just would never stop chuckling and giggling.

"Hobnob is a ferret I just couldn't re-home. He had cancer and was treated successfully but had to have his ears removed as part of the treatment. I decided he should stay with me as he had been through so much already.

"But one of the main problems I have is thinking of names for all the new ferrets that come along and replace them - we have just had eight arrive and I have had to name them after the first eight letters of the Greek alphabet!"

There are always new ferrets arriving at Droitwich Ferret Welfare and a huge amount of time, money and effort goes into caring for them and finding special new owners.

Anne relies on support, donations and, of course, those willing to take on a ferret.

But a certain fellow ferret fancier has shown more support than most for all aspects of the charity.

John Duggan, of St Anne's Road, Claines, works with ferrets on a daily basis, as a voluntary pest controller on large estates or in gardens.

He has a huge respect for the animal and has 30 of the creatures at his home.

But John has not only given a home to six of Anne's ferrets this year alone, he raises money to help care for the ones he leaves behind.

"Ferrets are excellent creatures and Anne needs all the support she can get, as people treat them horrendously, throw them out of car windows and pull out their teeth.

"I love working with them and, one day, remembered something I did years ago - ferret racing."

So John built a ferret run, with tracks to allow his creatures to race each other.

People then put bets on a ferret and the winner receives a prize and his attraction started to appear at many fetes and events in the area.

"It's just great fun. I work the ferrets all winter but they still need exercise in the summer and this is ideal.

"The children all love it and everyone gets excited and cheers their ferret on."

All proceeds from the racing go to a variety of charities - including the Welfare - and John makes about £200 a time.

The Royal British Legion in Claines, Hanbury Hall, and the Blue Cross in Bromsgrove have all also benefited from John's creation, and he intends to raise even more cash this summer.

"It's good to put something back into the community at the same time as helping other ferrets and charities and showing people that ferrets may not be as bad as they think."

To book ferret racing for your event this summer call John on 01905 454348.

PETS OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS

The female ferret is called a jill, while the male is called a hob. Babies are called kits. A group of ferrets is known as a business.

The average size of a hob is 17in to 24in in length, while jills are between 12in to 16in long.

Their average lifespan is eight to 10 years, although 14 years has been recorded.

Ferrets are members of the Mustelidae family which also includes weasels, stoats, polecats, martens, mink, badgers, and otters.

They may have been kept by the Ancient Egyptians more than 3,000 years ago and were brought to Britain almost 2,000 years ago by the Romans.

There are two varieties of ferrets, based on coloration. Fitch ferrets (the most popular) are buff-coloured, with black masks, feet and tails. Albino ferrets are white, with pink eyes.

The gestation period of ferrets is 42 to 44 days. The average litter size is eight but they do range from two to 17. Kits are born deaf, with their eyes closed. Their eyes open and they begin to hear between three and five weeks of age.

Ferrets make wonderful pets because of their engaging personalities, playful activity and fastidious nature.

There is no animosity between ferrets and dogs and cats, and all can usually share a household with little difficulty. However, ferrets have been known to attack pet birds.