WATCH: Ferret friends flown first-class to Alderney

Thursday 10 January 2019

After months spent searching for a new owner in Jersey, two fluffy friends have been ferreted away on a private plane to a new home in Alderney.

The two ferrets, Velma and Scooby, made themselves at home in the Channel Island with new owner Katy just in time for Christmas.

The pair had been brought separately to the Animals' Shelter for adoption, but were soon paired up.

Velma, who is apparently “quite shy”, was taken to the JSPCA Shelter “as she was being bullied by the other ferrets in her group”, while Scooby needed to be rehomed after he injured his former owner’s cat while stalking some chickens.

JSPCA Fundraising Manager Babs Keywood said that, despite getting into trouble, Scooby was an immediate hit with staff. “[He] was confident, and the staff love him for his carefree and cheeky nature," she said.

Video: Scooby the "cheeky" ferret receiving some well-deserved belly rubs at his new home in Alderney. (JSPCA)

Although the two had not lived together previously, Babs said that the Shelter was “delighted to be able to pair them both up."

The JSPCA originally had hoped to find a home for the pair locally, but they ended up gaining attention from a little further afield.

With a ferret afficionado identified in Alderney, Scooby and Velma required transport - and only the best would do.

According to the JSPCA, they eventually made it to their new home after being "chauffeured" to the Jersey Aero Club and flown by private pilot to Alderney.

“We couldn’t be more happy for them but were sad to see them leave," the JSPCA team said.

Commenting on finding the pair a home elsewhere in the Channel Islands, Babs told Express: “It is rare that we rehome off-island, but we are happy to try and accommodate people if we are struggling to rehome locally. 

“We are happy for people to contact us and register their interest. I was so pleased when Katy got in touch and showed me photos of her amazing set-up. It was a really quick turnaround, and we were so pleased they found a home in time for Christmas.”

GALLERY: See more of the ferrety friends...