FERRETS STOLEN ! Unfortunately it looks like ferret theft has started all over again this year. Please be extra careful and get your ferrets microchipped it gives them a chance at least. The theft last night was in Lymington (between Southampton and Bournemouth UK) and every single ferret has been taken even the old ones
so please if you hear anything let Wessex Ferret Club know. Most of the ferrets taken were albinos.
USEFUL TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FERRETS SECURE
Ensure your ferrets are microchipped, this way if they are stolen or escape and are taken to a vets or rescue, they may be checked for a chip and tracked back to you. More information on microchipping can be found here
http://starescue.org.uk/#/microchipping-ferrets/4543768925 Make sure your garden is secure i.e. any gates padlocked, side entrances gated, and fences/walls difficult to climb over (protects you, your ferrets and your house) and check that they are all in good sturdy condition (also make sure any gates cant simply be lifted off their hinges).
Other things you can do to make your garden that little harder to get into if its exposed in anyway include, adding trellace along tops of low fences and walls (making them seem that much higher and harder to scale, but also means you can grow some nice plants up them if you have green fingers), spikes on top of high walls and gates (>2m) (or thorny plants), plant thorny shrubs/hedges up against the fences/walls as well (pyracanthus, holly, blackthorn, gorse, roses), and put in some security lighting. Some people put gravel down on paths as its noisy to walk on. Also make sure you cut back any overhanging trees that people could use to climb into your garden.
Dont forget to put some signs up to help deter such as CCTV in operation and antitheft signs such as these (you can make your own if you have access to a laminator)
http://www.pet-detect.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=10&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=54 http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000W9HH8W/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B002PX2AVM&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=19SMPBZRWCJ9ZKE6V179 And make sure you have good sturdy locks on your shed door and windows (if you wire mesh the windows from the inside that should help deter anyway and means you can open the windows in hot weather without fear of your fuzzies escaping). Some owners fit wireless alarms to their ferret sheds such as the YaleHSA 3000, running off batteries you can get away just using the door contact and the siren box parts. As these are wireless so no wires can be cut and some also have anti tamper switch incase anyone trys to rag it off the shed it automatically sets off the alarm.
A Safety porch on the shed is another option (also stops ferrets escaping when you open the shed door if they are free roaming), as it means theives have to open two sets of doors to get in, this gives you an idea of what these are if you have not seen them
http://www.happyhutch.com/ViewProduct.asp?productID=1 Obviously if you have a run attached to your shed then make sure its sturdy construction with good quality mesh thats well secured.
For anyone reading this keeping ferrets outside in hutches/chicken coops then use bolts with padlocks to keep your ferrets secure in their hutch, dont just rely on wooden latches (which ferrets can knock open themselves). These precautions can also help prevent fuzzies being accidentally let out by inquisitive visitors or little hands.
Unfortunately thefts do happen, especially during the Autumn and Winter months in the UK when rabbit hunting begins (so either by people stealing them to hunt with or to breed with).
IF YOUR FERRET IS STOLEN REPORT THE MATTER TO THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY.
