The Ferret Education & Research Trust is the first dedicated national registered charity within England and Wales which aims to promote the care and welfare of the domesticated ferret. It has strong ties with various other ferret organisations and welfares; international & overseas, national and also those operating in a local capacity.

It was our group intention to establish a charitable cause that would be able to support the fundraising of other ferret welfares around the UK and also to offer a means to educate and inform the public regarding the plight of this hard working and much maligned animal.

As we progressed through 2006 we attended a number of national shows including The Three Counties Show at Malvern and also The Town & Country Show at Stoneleigh; both were amazingly successful and we achieved our aims in both fundraising and education.

In September 2006, after the success of the Town & Country Show, the founders of FERT decided to apply for registered charitable status to further establish its intentions to the public and the ferret community.

On 22nd November 2006 FERT was the first dedicated ferret charity to be awarded registered national status by the Charity Commission.

Trustees

Ian Kearns MPFA (Trustee) Founder and trustee of FERT. Ian has attended a number of major UK shows where he has given public talks on ferret history and welfare. His diverse and committed fundraising ideas mean excellent exposure for sponsors and also a healthy return of funds for ferret welfares and rescues. Ian is also responsible for the FERT website including the technical infrastructure. A member of the Practical Fundraising Association cements his committed vision to raising much needed money for national and local ferret organisations.
Anne Robinson JP MCIPR (Trustee) Already an established and successful ferret welfare charity founder at Droitwich Ferret Welfare, Anne is known and respected by many organisations as a leading knowledge on ferret welfare. Anne's inclusion in other organisations on an advisory and consultancy basis recognises her commitment to ferret welfare and the education of ferret owners. Anne is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations highlighting her ability to express her knowledge at the highest and most professional level.
Ainé Hopkins MPFA (Trustee) A keen and enthusiastic ferret owner, Ainé is an active volunteer of animal welfare charities and has attended major shows to promote welfare issues and to engage members of the public in various topics concerning ferret welfare.

Advisors

Veterinary
Small Animal Veterinary Advisor Anthony G. Barnby - B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S Tony has many years experience in veterinary practice, particularly with small animals. His interest in ferrets is one of the finest examples of how a working veterinary practice can care for these animals at the highest level. His application towards ferret care ensures a well-rounded and considered assessment as well as premium health management.
Small Animal Veterinary Advisor and Patron Steve Leonard - Steve Leonard BVSc MRCVS Steve is well known as both a veterinary surgeon and also a television presenter. His wealth of experience is recognised by other organisations whom he is also patron of. Steve is an active veterinarian where he practises alongside his brother in the successful family practice.
Ferret Health and Disease Advisor Maggie Lloyd - MA VetMB CertLAS MRCVS DipHE. Maggie is a veterinary surgeon with a keen interest in the care and welfare of ferrets, and acclaimed author of 'Ferrets: Health Husbandry and Diseases'. Maggie's book is considered by many within the ferret community to be a leading point of reference and is often referred to by veterinary and welfare organisations as well as members of the public.
Ferret Health and Disease Advisor Kevin Eatwell - BVSc (hons) DZooMed (Reptilian) MRCVS. Kevin currently occupies the position of Lecturer in Exotic Animal and Wildlife Medicine at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies within the The University of Edinburgh. Kevin has a wealth of experience in treating and diagnosing illness in ferrets and was the first veterinarian to report Adrenal Gland disease within the United Kingdom.
Ferret Health and Disease Advisor Neil Forbes - BVetMed DipECAMS CBiol MIBiol FRCVS. Head of Exotic Animal Medicine at Great Western Referrals, and Director of the only ECZM approved residency training programme in the UK, with residents in avian and small animal medicine. Part time senior lecturer at Bristol University. President of the European College of Zoological Medicine.
Non-Veterinary
Public Education Advisor Dr Liane Purnell - B.Ed., A.E.M.ed, I LTHE, E.dD Liane is a qualified teacher and lectures in both adult and higher education in addition to publishing teachers’ notes to accompany classroom text books. Her research interests lie predominantly with young people aged between 7 and 14 years. She has served as Education Officer for The Quilters Guild of the British Isles. Liane has a house-ferret of her own and also fosters for a ferret welfare.
Ferret Welfare Organisation Advisor Thorr Yngvisson - BFFW The British Federation of Ferret Welfares was formed in 1999 by Thorr Yngvisson and his late wife, Ingga. At that time there was no organisation devoted entirely to those who ran welfares and rescues. It took a lot of hard work and effort to establish the BFFW but it eventually paid off and has now received recognition from both the RSPCA & PDSA. The BFFW have Branches throughout the UK.
Working Ferret Advisor Heritage Rabbit Control Hertiage Rabbit Control is a company founded on 15 years experience and standards which are, in our opinion, second to none. They make all their own nets, tools and equipment and display a high-level of professionalism which is mirrored in their approach to rabbit control and the effect it has on the environment.

Mission Statement

• To promote humane behaviour towards the ferret (Mustela Putorius Furo) and to assure its well-being by giving advice to owners as to its care in sickness and in health.
• To promote improved understanding of ferret diseases and other matters relevant to ferret welfare
• To promote improvement of standards of accommodation for ferrets generally and in boarding and welfare facilities in particular
• To advance the education of the public in ferret diseases and medicine