LONDON, July 5 /PRNewswire/ --
- 1st National Ferret Census
Despite popular myth, not all ferret-owners wear cloth caps, or keep
their ferrets down their trousers! Anecdotal evidence and sales of ferret
food suggest that there are millions of ferrets in the UK - but until now
there has been no reliable data about the ferret population or lifestyle.
The Ferret Education and Research Trust (FERT) and pet food firm James
Wellbeloved are undertaking the first ever British ferret census, with a view
to establishing not only UK ferret numbers but also whether they are kept as
pets or working animals and their living conditions - housing, diet,
veterinary treatment - geographical concentration, rescued or rehomed or not,
and how long owners have kept ferrets.
Ian Kearns from FERT says: "Ferrets are fantastic little creatures, very
clever and lively, and they make clean, loving pets - as well as being
working animals. We now want to establish the definitive picture of ferrets
in the UK today."
Ferret owners can take part in the survey online at
http://www.ferretcensus.org.uk, or through a paper questionnaire in selected
packs of James Wellbeloved Complete Ferret Food. Each completed survey will
automatically be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a year's
supply of James Wellbeloved Ferret Food, plus 50 prizes of a luxury Hansa toy
ferret.
Peter Lancaster from James Wellbeloved is delighted to be supporting the
census: "Ferrets are possibly Britain's most secret pet, and it's time to
shine the spotlight on them."
Note to editors: The Ferret Education and Research Trust (FERT) is the
only dedicated national registered charity in England and Wales promoting the
care and welfare of the domesticated ferret. TV vet Steve Leonard has
recently become a Patron and adviser, and The Yorkshire Regiment is also a
supporter - the Regiment has two ferret mascots, Imphal and Quebec, who are
currently deployed with the regiment in Munster, Germany. Their names
commemorate two major battles where the regiment received honours.
http://www.ferrettrust.org
James Wellbeloved is a leading manufacturer of complete dry foods for
dogs, cats and ferrets, available from good pet shops throughout the UK.
http://www.wellbeloved.com
The Ferret Education and Research Trust (FERT) and James Wellbeloved
For further information, please contact: Cressy Brooks, JWB PR, +44(0)1303-872933 / +44(0)7876-162461, cressybrooks@gofast.co.uk OR Ian Kearns, FERT trustee, +44(0)870-803-1475, ian.kearns@ferrettrust.org