Ferrets provide love, business for Citrus County woman

Ferrets are fun-loving animals that are popular pets for people.

CITRUS COUNTY (Bay News 9)--Fran Brown never thought she could love a ferret so much.

And she probably never thought she would start a ferret-based business because of that love.

"My younger daughter had wanted them (a ferret) for a very long time and I finally gave in and let her have them," Brown, a resident of Homosassa, said.

Brown's business, Ferrets are Love, has been running for 10 years.

The business sells toys and beds for ferrets, which are all hand stitched by Brown.

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Brianne Roberts said her two ferrets, Oreo and Bella, love to play with toys.

"They'll entertain themselves with a pen for an hour, so toys are like the coolest little thing they've come across," Roberts said.

Ferrets are close behind dogs and cats as favorite pets for people, and Brown said she likes ferrets better than cats or dogs.

But her last ferret passed away in January.

Missing her ferrets that have passed away has led Brown to donate most of the money she makes from her business to shelters. It also goes toward saving the endangered black-footed ferret.

"I got involved online with ferret groups and learned about all the shelters and decided that's what I needed to do is help them out," Brown said.

Brown said it depends on her husband if she will get more ferrets.

"There's just no description of the way they get into your heart," she said.

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Citrus County resident and reporter Johnathan Petramala knows there are plenty of stories out there waiting to be told, and he wants to hear them. Email him and share your story.

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