critters

Well, what a lot of critters I've met this weekend! On Saturday, husband and I visited a wildlife rescue centre (British Wildlife Rescue, near Stafford),and met all manner of things (from a safe distance). Owls, a kestrel, magpies, all manner of birds, rabbits, a cygnet, a clan or two of chipmunks, hedgehogs, ferrets, and polecats. The fox wasn't to be seen, but boy, we knew she was there. They're all rescue amimals, some brought by the police or the RSPCA, but mostly by members of the public. The people who work at these places are amazing - most are volunteers, and wildlife rescue places depend entirely on donations.

The polecats were having their enclosure cleaned out while we were there.

NO WE WEREN'T! WE WERE PLAYING!

A young man in overalls and good humour brought a black bin bag for the rubbish...

NO, HE CAME TO PLAY, AND THAT BAG WAS FOR US TO HIDE IN!

Polecats have sharp teeth and don't mind using them, but they are playful, and a black bin bag is there to play in. That's why it was running about from one side of the enclosure to the other, rolling over and getting up again. It had a polecat inside it, and another one trying to find the way in. I thought maybe I should rescue the overall man and hand him in at reception, but they didn't bite him or harm him at all, only played around his feet and tried to trip him up.

No, don't go getting one as a pet. Think of those teeth. And all that polecat poo to clear up. But I can recommend visiting a wildlife centre.