Well, Smirnoff is still with us, we've had no luck trying to trace an owner. We knocked on doors, put up notices in supermarkets and corner shops, and put an ad in the local newspaper, as well as giving all vets and rescue centres in the area our phone number in case someone contacts them about a lost ferret.

We also took him to get scanned for a microchip (which he despised, the vet has a sore thumb to prove it!), but no luck there either.

We are starting to think that he may have been thrown out. He has a slightly deformed front paw, which could just be a birth defect, but could be a sign of him being kept in something unsuitable. He also doesn't like a hand anywhere around his head or in front of him, which could suggest some rough handling. I would have thought that if he indeed escaped of his own accord, his owners would have come across us by now. We will keep persevering though for now.

Sadly, although I would love to, I doubt I could keep him if we never find an owner. I've just started sixth form college, and there is no way I can care for him as well as Flossie and the gerbils on top of all my schoolwork. He needs a lot of time and attention and I just don't think it's something I could offer him long term. My parents are not too keen on looking after a ferret, and my brother always runs a mile when it's cleaning out time, so his welfare would be in my already incredibly busy hands. We have got a few possible new homes for him if we don't trace an owner and I'm sure with one of those people, he would get the love and care he deserves.

We will probably keep hold of him for a few more days, just in case, and will then investigate what we can do in Smirnoff's best interest. I'll miss the little guy when we do say goodbye, he is such a character.

I took some pictures of him today and I'll post them soon.