When looking at official instructions for taking our dog on holiday to France, all the regulations cover dogs, cats and Ferrets. Why include Ferrets? I have only known one person have them as pets on my life, and that was 40 years ago!
What if I want to take my Budgie or Axylotyl? Why are they apparently excluded?*
*Neither would need worming tablets on return.
Budgies can be smuggled.
Ferrets aren't allowed in the hold, under seat or overhead lockers - only allowed on if stored down trousers.
I know someone who had ferrets! My partner's daughter had 3 of the stinky ****ers. A few years ago, partner was away and daughter was dog sitting in her house. I went in the house (we live in separate houses) a few days before her return, to check all was ok and there was this awful stink filling the place. I seriously thought one of the dogs had shat in the house and it hadn't been cleaned up. I checked each room and found this cage with 3 sleeping vermin inside. Made me proper retch. Grim things. All dead now thankfully. 🤣
All dead now thankfully.
Harsh. They're apparently very affectionate pets.
They don't half stink though, no arguments there. A friend of mine's flatmate kept them, I don't know how she coped with it. At the time I assumed he wasn't keeping on top of cleaning them out properly but seemingly not. "Grim" is a very appropriate word .
I imagine its an historic thing, they are pets and they are also hunting animals. I think they also carry a significant overlap with cats and dogs about controlled diseases like rabies.
So there is enough of reason to cover them from a social perspective and a risk perspective.
I don't know any keepers but after cats and dogs they are definitely the most common mammal* have seen being taken for a walk. They fun things, really playful.
*Probably seen more parrots and once a dove that was flying back and forth between trees and its owners head.
It's a cold war hangover from the 1950s. The regs were updated by the work experience person who didn't know any better
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret_armoured_car
A euphemism surely?
All dead now thankfully.
Low iron levels?
At least you tried
The armoured car was my first thought when I saw the title. A local guy has one. And a tank. Make local lanes seem very small.
I used to have Ferrets, all had the snip, we bathed them when we got them and from then on they had fleece sleeping bags and blankets and didn't smell bad at all. Also quite easy to litter train. Hilarious little characters who were very affectionate.
Regarding the OP I think it is to with the Rabies risk.
It's a cold war hangover from the 1950s.
That armoured car pictured moments before it was ambushed by a double decker bus
My sister-in-law had several ferrets, they had their own room with a large cage with a proper maze of tunnels and runs, they also had two dogs and several cats, and there was never any noticeable odour of any of them. Ferrets are like all their family, full of fun and mischief, stoats in particular seem to run around and jump just for the sheer joy of it; I’ve been a stoat turn up at the end of our archery range, and it appeared to be dancing around for the fun of just doing it. Otters do as well.
They can't help it.
Weasel war dance innit. Dogs and cats are the same, zooomies are always adorable.
Weasel war dance innit.
It's thought that they do it to mesmerise rabbits, who wouldn't stop to watch a stoat dancing?
It might also be a parasitic infection http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0074tkf
I like the Daimler Ferret. I'd have to sell my motorbike though.
A woman in our neighborhood has 2 ferrets, she walks them on leads in the park and by the little river
Has to be a euphemism, like bit on the side or playing away.
'Ooh, that Mr Giggs, I've heard he's taking his ferret abroad again this year'
Never heard of it referred to as that before… 🤨
It's thought that they do it to mesmerise rabbits, who wouldn't stop to watch a stoat dancing?
I’ve seen one dancing at the far end of our archery field, wonderful thing to see! 🤩
I also knew someone (aka saw them occasionally) who took them out on leads. I assume something can be done about the smell since I had a friend as a kid whose dad has a pest control company and they had some ferrets kept well away from anything else. Awesomely cute and tame but smelly as hell.
They have been used as therapy animals in prison. However turned out a bit awkward when the staff noticed a rat infestation and put two and two together.
I can't remember what it was that I was looking at recently - might have been eurotunnel that had a question of "are you travelling with pets?" and the options where dog/cat/ferret.
Nice marmot.
Why include Ferrets?
It seems to be partly down to rabies transmission.
In Europe, ferrets are legally considered potential rabies carriers alongside dogs and cats. While terrestrial rabies is rare in Western Europe, the virus remains present in certain wildlife reservoirs (such as bats, foxes, and raccoon dogs). Consequently, ferrets require strict preventative measures to manage disease risks.
I can't remember what it was that I was looking at recently - might have been eurotunnel that had a question of "are you travelling with pets?" and the options where dog/cat/ferret.
That's right. The basis for my original question was because we're currently applying for a pet passport, (dog) and the inclusion of ferrets alongside dogs and cats just seemed odd. When you arrive at Eurotunnel or a ferry port the pet has to go through separate passport control, which is why they ask.
But seems rabies risk is the answer, as supplied by PJay and earlier joshvegas.
Presumably with ferrets the risk os they are bitey wee bastards.
I used to have Ferrets, all had the snip, we bathed them when we got them and from then on they had fleece sleeping bags and blankets and didn't smell bad at all. Also quite easy to litter train. Hilarious little characters who were very affectionate.
This, basically. Dogs can get pretty ’fragrant’ if they have thick coats and grooming isn’t kept on top of.
Mustidae seem to be pretty playful, at least among the smaller species, Weasels, Stoats, otters, etc, watching a family of kits is hugely entertaining, they’re just really funny.
Why include Ferrets?
It seems to be partly down to rabies transmission.
In Europe, ferrets are legally considered potential rabies carriers alongside dogs and cats. While terrestrial rabies is rare in Western Europe, the virus remains present in certain wildlife reservoirs (such as bats, foxes, and raccoon dogs). Consequently, ferrets require strict preventative measures to manage disease risks.
I’m feeling guilty I shipped mine in van (was a nice van thou) 🙂
(Doggeros not ferretz)
Ours gets shipped in a van too. But as he gets to sit up front with me and the missis, he's always quite pleased about it. 😊
