FERRET lovers from across the length and breadth of Scotland came to show off their prized pets at Rosyth Bowling Club recently.

The Scottish Ferret Club chose to bring its winter show to West Fife where more than 100 of the pets turned up to compete.

Stephanie Shaw, 25, from Kelty, who has 11 ferrets, told the Press just what's so fascinating about them. She said: "I would love to have a dog but I just don't have the time because of work commitments. Ferrets sleep for 18-20 hours a day and they're very happy to be left in a cage, plus I don't like cats!

"They're so funny, there's never a dull moment and each one is different. My eldest two, Jack and Victor, are like chalk and cheese – one is laid back and the other wants to try and get everywhere he's not supposed to be. I could watch them for hours they're just so entertaining.

"My ferrets all get on brilliantly together, some just like being on their own but I've been fortunate enough to introduce all 10 and I'm looking at having my first litter this year."

Ferrets in the competition were categorised by their colouration and gender for the winter show and members of the club judged the pet's health, scoring them out of 10.

Fiona Kemp, secretary of the Scottish Ferret Club, said: "The best way to describe it is that it is like a little dog show! You put your ferret into a class and you can either win best in show or reserved best of show and you bag some pet food.

"The show is really about mingling with others that all have similar interests. People come from all over and we even get some coming up from England too."

Fiona continued: "Ferrets have a really bad stigma attached to them so we are trying to change the perception of them as stinky animals that bite.

"In fact, they are very cuddly, friendly pets and like any other animal, the more you handle them, the better they are.

"Ferrets are also hilarious and are always making me laugh! They do this thing that we all call a 'war dance' where they jump around and make noises.

"Honestly, they are more entertaining then the TV!"

Stephanie, who is a mechanical engineer, has been part of the Scottish Ferret Club for two years and was attracted to the group because of their aim to try to educate the public about the pets.

She continued: "Many people still see ferrets to be working animals but they are great pets. The group is great for meeting like-minded people who are accepting of this.

"When me and my partner take them for a walk on the beach most people are fascinated and want to learn but you do get people who say they don't like them.

"My mum was terrified of them at first but she's slowly coming around. Doing these things change people's perceptions of the pets."

For more information about the club visit, www.scottishferrets.co.uk.