Out & About September 2017

The couple explain that they ‘got into’ ferrets because of their middle daughter, Harriet, who really wanted one. Like all children, middle or otherwise, their daughter has now grown up and left home, but the ferrets have stayed – although Nick does point out that she is still in the area and still regularly visits the ferrets (and presumably her parents!). The first thing they make very clear is that ferrets are essentially sociable animals and are not vicious. Most people’s view of ferrets is coloured by the now-legendary image of one of the furry creatures clinging on to the finger of former Countdown presenter Richard Whitely. “Like any animal, ferrets will bite if they think they’re in danger,” explains Nick. “They’re also quite short-sighted so if they see something coming towards them they tend to think it’s food and will go to bite it,” adds Fiona. There is only one species of ferret, but they can be different colours and Albino ferrets are quite common. “In the past, the Albinos were very popular working ferrets, because when they chased out a rabbit, they could then be easily distinguished before the prey was shot at or caught by hawks.”

Ferrets are still used as ‘working’ animals today, but they are more commonly simply pets. They have never been naturally wild, in fact they were domesticated by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Nick and Fiona are members of the Hants & Berks Ferret Club, which they joined in 2010 and which currently has around 40 members. “We learned a lot from other members of the club, which does a lot for promoting the health and wellbeing of ferrets, rehousing unwanted animals and educating owners in responsible animal care. “In fact, the club will be celebrating its 20th anniversary next year. “We get calls from all over the country, requesting our services – we were asked to go up to Aberdeen the other day for a show. I’d say we probably turn down about 50 appearances a year.” What is the enduring appeal of these playful creatures? “Almost exactly that – they are very playful and a lot of fun. But they’re also slippery creatures and are always looking for ways to escape and go off and explore.

N ick and Fiona Walklet usher us through to the garden where eight ferrets are scrambling over each other to greet their visitors. Sitting benignly next to their pen is Ninja, a black and white mog, who looks a little perplexed at the long, wriggly energetic creatures.

Ninja the cat tolerates the ferrets

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