By Alwyn Graham

FERRETS need friends - and a Bolton woman is determined to give the creatures a paw up the popularity ladder.

Sheila Crompton is known to ferret-fanciers all over the world for her spot of ferret expertise on the Internet.

The terraced house she and partner Ron Hardman share in Halliwell is home to about 40 of the animals.

What was once a mere lounge suite has been burrowed into an assault course by the happy household of rescued ferrets.

Sheila's interest was sparked when she and Ron found a hungry and frightened ferret in the street nearly four years ago. She said: "I will admit I was scared of him because, as far as I knew, ferrets bit and wouldn't let go - and that is entirely wrong." After unsuccessful appeals for information, she finally found "The Complete Book of Ferrets" in a library and began the education process she now wants to pass on.

And she still has Fritz, the original foundling, who eyes visitors beadily from the comfort of his blanket.

Sheila feels ferrets get a poor press generally, being chiefly associated with a great deal of unpleasantness for rabbits and, of course, old men's trousers which they are reputed to inhabit.

Though there are many "working ferrets", the myth that ferrets are kept down their owners' trousers originates from the days when poachers concealed the predators thus to avoid detection.

The couple do many country shows and fetes and will visit schools to introduce their animals to a wider public; they insist the creatures are fine pets and allow their own rescued ferrets to exercise freely in their home - which means they elect to have a floor free of carpet so that it can be mopped down, and don't mind the holes in the sofa.

Each of the ferrets, known as hobs and jills, is named and adored; veterinary bills have cost the couple dear over the years, including one well in excess of £100 for the removal of a bone tumour from the skull of Billy the sandy hob.

Feckless owners who can't be bothered to get their animals neutered or given the "jill jab" have sent up the number by abandoning kits (young ferrets).

And, contrary to what many people believe, ferrets cannot cope for themselves in the wild, being too trusting for their own good and sleeping too soundly to observe predators.

As with other small animals, Ron and Sheila would not recommend letting a young child handle a ferret without supervision - as much for the creature's sake as the child's - but they do find they make entertaining pets.

Ron said: "They are very addictive. When we do fairs and shows, people go away with smiles on their faces and a completely different attitude towards ferrets."

The couple feed the residents at their Bolton Ferret Welfare centre on cat biscuits, among other things, but Sheila also buys culled day-old chicks from a hatchery for them - not something she relishes doing (she's a vegetarian), but the ferrets love it.

As with any animal, the evacuation tackle of a ferret has a niff, but their owners no longer notice the smell.

The small Halliwell house has been visited, thanks to Internet exposure, by American ferret fanciers. But, predictably, the Americans go that bit further with their fancying; there is even a "ferret outfitter" mail order catalogue giving owners the opportunity to purchase hats and T-shirts for their creatures. Pretty silly - it will be a long time before the British ferret is sporting a trilby or toque.

Ferrets can be walked on harnesses - the BEN carried a picture of Sheila and Ron walking three of their animals in the town centre a couple of years ago - but they are not known for lead discipline.

Their breeding season lasts quite a while and, to keep the jills happy, Sheila and Ron paid for a hob to have a vasectomy. This busy and envied creature can get its kit off for the girls without the resulting kit litters.

Though ferrets have a reputation for biting, the couple insist this is not regular behaviour; in fact, ferrets have this year been used in psychology research with autistic children in much the same way that "PAT" (Pets As Therapy) animals are used.

Both have been bitten by their pets, but in isolated incidents - and they still share toast and ice cream with any sleek character on their shoulder.

Any local ferret fancier needing information (Sheila cautions them: "Get your self a good BRITISH book on the animals,") can ring the couple on Bolton 533367 for information.

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