Ferrets Across Borders

Good day, ferret enthusiasts! Earlier this month (December 2024), we traveled to 5 countries, to document invaluable information about current best ferret keeping and breeding practices outside of the United States. The countries we visited: Denmark, Sweden, Slovenia, Wales, and England.

Our work is not done--not by far. We still have many interviews to conduct within the USA as well as in Korea and Canada. Once these interviews are complete, we will be producing a podcast series on the topic of ferrets, where they have been, where they are now, and where it appears they are headed into the future.

Denmark

Fredde's Ferrets

https://www.facebook.com/FreddesFerrets

In Denmark, we visited beautiful Aalborg, and walked the glittering holiday streets. There are also beautiful rural areas just outside The City.

Here is a small sample of photos from our visit with Fredde's Ferrets

Aalborg Shopping at Night

Hello, Big Lad!

Silvery Beauty

Chocolate, Yes Please!

After Denmark, we flew by plane to Norway, and were picked up and driven to northern Sweden, by a lovely breeder named Anette, of Hillbiorns Illrar.

Sweden

Hillbiorns Illrar

https://www.facebook.com/HPazzulos

At our first Swedish breeder's town, we enjoyed locally made chocolates--YUM! As well as the snow, which we just missed as we left our home a day before the snow fell.

Here is a small sample of photos from our visit with Hillbiorns Illrar

Dinner Time Preparations

Cozy Hideaway

Hideaway with a Tunnel System

So Comfy We Don't Want to Come Out!

Spacious Ferret Court

After Hillbiorns Illrar, we headed southeast in Sweden, via train. The train system is Sweden looks comprehensive. We like traveling by train.

Sweden

Vildingarnas Illrar

https://www.facebook.com/vildingarnasillrar

In Boxholm, Sweden area, we enjoyed Swedish fika. This is a commonly consumed treat in Sweden, which is a pastry or cookie with Swedish coffee--which is apparently quite strong compared to some other countries including the USA. We liked it very much, and we believe fika should make it's way to the USA.

Here is a sample of photos from our visit with Vildingarnas Illrar

Magical Snows Covering an XL Ferret Court with 4 Parts

Hello, There!

Hybrids Enjoying The Outdoors

Warm Indoor Space Just in Case

When we had to leave Boxholm, we traveled by train again, this time to Vasteras, Sweden, where we enjoyed a tour of a historic Viking village restored to an outdoor museum. It was fabulous! We also got to see Viking gravestones and "The Thing," a mystery mound in Sweden within this gravestone area. Denise of Raggarillerns showed us around.

Sweden

Raggarillerns Ferretry

https://www.facebook.com/RaggarillernsUppfodning

We learned many things from Denise, including home remedies for certain ferret conditions. We look forward to sharing all of our learned knowledge in the podcast, later in 2025 or early 2026.

Here is a sample of photos from our time with Raggarillerns Ferretry

Outdoor Museum Touring

Viking Stones as Seen from The Thing

Fun Ferret Court and Storage

A little Guy and a BIG Guy

Exploring a Natural Decoration in A Winter Coat

We had to leave Sweden, and travel to Slovenia, to talk about ferrets and recent ferret model research with Dr. Conc, Maja, of Ljubljana University.

Slovenia

It's All About Ferrets

https://www.facebook.com/ItsAllAboutFerrets

In Slovenia, we ate authentic pizza--as authentic as we could get, since we were not in Italy--haha! We had a great time.

Here is a sample of photos from our time with It's All About Ferrets

Look at That View!

Holiday Streets in Slovenia

Lovely Habitat

Enjoying a Tasty Treat

Second Habitat for a Solo Guy

We took a plane from Sweden to Manchester, England, and stayed there for a night. The next day, we took a train from Manchester to Conwy, Wales, where we met up with Chris Star of DCS Ferretry (also known as Astraeus Ferretry), and he gave us a proper tour of the Conwy area and its history.

Wales

David Christopher Starr (DCS) Ferretry

https://www.facebook.com/davidchristopher.starr

While we were in Wales, we saw so many historical sights. We visited a town with a name that was 26 letters long and near impossible for us to pronounce... I don't think we ever got it right. We also saw monuments, graveyards, and a very well preserved castle.

Here is a sample of photos from our time with DCS Ferretry

Castle Bridge

Lovely Day for a Graveyard Stroll to a Monument

Hutches Set to Keep the Wind Out

Cozy Hideaway Second Room

Plenty of Salmon Oil

We took a train once more, from Conwy, Wales, to Matlock, England, just outside the location of The National Ferret School and The National Falconry School Headquarters, founded by James McKay, our final breeder interview on this trip.

England

The National Ferret School

https://www.facebook.com/FalconrySchool

Dr. James McKay has written several books on ferrets and we were delighted to collect some of his wisdom for our records. We also enjoyed a lovely warm mince meat pie with vanilla ice cream while visiting--delicious.

Here is a small sample of photos from our visit with The National Ferret School

Ferret Courts and Large Warm Group Bed

Who Disturbs Our Slumber?

Two-Part Courts

Are We Going Hunting?

Look at us Showing Off our Tunnels

We had a wonderful time on our travels, and we loved all of the food and warm hospitality we were shown. It was our honor to collect the wisdom of these breeders, and we will continue to collect wisdom from additional breeders, for documentation as stated. We look forward to sharing the finished product with all who are interested.