The 2-pound ferret, named Diamond, bounces and tumbles with the family cats and usually wins, she says. Diamond chases balls and goes on walks in a harness. And he's mischievous. They get into everything. Apparently, a lot of people don't mind buying new shoes.
Ferrets are the third most popular pet in America, behind dogs and cats.
Ferret ownership has doubled in the past five years, with 6 million ferrets in American homes. The Animal Health Institute says ferrets are less likely to bite than dogs. And they are smart. Boeing once trained ferrets to run wiring in tiny spaces during aircraft assembly. The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association seeks nominations for its 2001 Praise for Pets award.