Ferret thieves busted after filching food from Regina pet store

A ferret that was weaseled out of a Regina pet store by two shoplifters has been returned safely.

Two young girls made off with the animal while employees at Pat's Pets and Supplies Ltd. were unloading stock.

Both girls ran out the door, causing staff to search for anything that may have been missing. They discovered that one ferret was missing from its enclosure.

"The second both our backs were turned, lo and behold: a ferret went missing," said Sheena Evert, the manager of Pat's Pets and Supplies Ltd.

She quickly went to the front door, but the girls were gone.

"It was heartbreaking," said Evert.

"Of course, we all feared for the safety of the animal," she said. "They didn't have a proper carrier, probably not supplies — we were guessing. It could have gotten loose or run away on them. Anything could have happened. We were kind of terrified for him."

Evert took a look at the surveillance tape and posted pictures of the girls on Facebook.

The social media network had helped the store catch shoplifters in the past but they didn't need the help of Facebook this time.

The next day, the two girls returned to the store to steal a bag of ferret food.

Evert recognized the girls and ran after them. She called the police and they were able to apprehend the ferret-nappers.

"In the end we had decided they were minors and they made a mistake," Evert said. She added they didn't want police to charge the girls. They just wanted police to get the animal back to the store.

"We did get our little guy back, hungry but safe and sound."

Evert says the two month old ferret had a rough night but was happy to back at the store with his sister.

"It's a very, very excitable reunion with its partner. We have two litter mates so one was definitely going lonely for the night," said Evert.

Evert says both ferrets are still available for adoption and she hopes they can find homes.

"They are playful, loveable, probably one of the best pets you can get," said Evert.

"They litter train. They can come when called, learn tricks, they are really quite smart but very very active."

But ferrets aren't cheap, costing around $250.