Stealing kisses from a ferret
The word ferret is derived from the Latin for “little thief”, but it is Sophie Pinker who has to steal her kisses from her pet ferret Shikamaru.
Ms Pinker brought her ferret to Save a Life Day, hosted by Head to Tail Pets on Saturday.
Ferrets have been kept by humans for centuries, used for hunting vermin or “ferreting” rabbits.
But they are increasingly being kept as pets.
Ms Pinker said she had always wanted a pet ferret as a child, but her mother was not keen.
“My mum wouldn’t let me have one because they stink and they bite, but it’s not true. They’re great little pets,” she said.
Ferrets are very active pets which require plenty of exercise.
They are carnivores and they can be trained to use a litter try like a domestic cat.
Ms Pinker has had Shikamaru for almost three years.
“They’re not cuddly, they don’t want to hug you but they do want to play with you,” she said.
“And they will sometimes give you kisses.”
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