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07
Dec 2024
Have you spotted Harrogate's ferret on a lead?
There’s a new ferret in town, and you may have spotted him walking on his lead through Harrogate town centre.
Alfred is a seven-month-old ferret who lives with his owner Scott Marshall.
Mr Marshall adopted his unusual pet last month from Knaresborough animal rescue and has been training him ever since.
The pair have been walking across the Stray and around the town centre to get Alfred used to wearing his leash and harness.
Mr Marshall said that Alfred’s favourite place to visit is the town centre streets and a particular highlight was the festive ferret designs on the windows of the Stray Ferret offices.
He said:
He definitely noticed the Christmas ferrets on the window and was very interested in those. It’s good he didn’t see the taxidermy ferret though!
He really seems to enjoy walking in the streets rather than on the Stray. I think it’s because he can see where he is going and gets a bit confused on open grass.
Alfred on the Stray
Mr Marshall added that he has seen other people with ferrets on the Stray prior to adopting Alfred and said he’d love to arrange a meet-up with fellow ferret owners.
He has owned ferrets in the past and opted to get one rather than a cat or dog due to health issues meaning he struggles to walk long distances.
He said:
Owning a ferret is like having a cross between a cat and a dog. You can walk it on a lead, and it eats kibble. They can be really playful and loves attention, but they can also want to be alone, love to sleep and don’t need really long walks.
Scott Marshall and Alfred the ferret
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