AMONG the honours given out around the turn of the year was one that won't get the old ceremonial sword on the shoulder for its recipients, but probably should do.

Because in the world of ferrets, Anne Robinson and Ann Badnadge are knights in shining armour.

Their sterling work has been recognised by the National Ferret Welfare Society, which as 2004 became 2005 made them the first recipients of a splendid shield for their work in rescuing and re-homing ferrets.

To celebrate, the ferrets in residence knocked back a snack of cream and raisins with beaten egg. Anne and Ann probably had something a touch stronger.

For the enterprise that began over a cup of coffee in a kitchen, it was time to crack open a bottle.

Yet seven years ago, neither of the two ladies behind Droitwich Ferret Welfare, as their organisation is called, had kept a ferret in their lives.

Anne Robinson was the full-time company secretary of the British Beer and Pub Association based in Halesowen, which probably had more to do with pink elephants than ferrets.

However, she did keep something of a menagerie at home. There were dogs, cats, chickens a couple of pet turkeys, ducks and a flock of pigeons. All of which meant that when a well known Droitwich character John Butler was suddenly taken into hospital, Anne became the natural recipient of his four ferrets.

Sadly John died, so the temporary arrangement with the ferrets became permanent. It was further complicated when two of them were found to be "in kit". Pregnant in other words. So, instead of four ferrets, Anne suddenly had a lot more.

Her advert for homes for the youngsters was answered by Ann Badnadge, which was how the two ladies first met.

They became friends and after an episode involving a sickly wild polecat, which we won't go into here, decided to set up an organisation to care for abandoned, neglected and unwanted ferrets.

"We notified local vets, put up posters in their surgeries and sent out Press releases to the local media," said Ann.

Droitwich Ferret Welfare was launched on March 1, 2003 and soon had its first call.

"It was from someone who was moving house and wanted us to take their ferrets. There were 11 of them and they were not in good condition."

So it was in at the deep end for Ann and Anne.

About a year later, as their work became better known, Droitwich Ferret Welfare achieved charity status and in the 12 months of 2004 took in 87 ferrets.

"Amazingly, we have found homes for all of these with new, caring owners," Anne enthused.

DFW's intake comes mainly from three sources - working ferrets that have been lost or abandoned while out rabbiting and are picked up as strays, ferrets that have been bought as pets but are no longer wanted and ferrets that can no longer be looked after by their owners because of illness, divorce or death.

"As always a few special ferrets stand out in our memories of the last year," she added, "not least because despite their suffering they remain consistently gentle and affectionate animals.

"For example there was Pepper, who came to us with a huge infected abscess on her head that needed two operations and a long period of convalescence. Then there was Barney, a stray living in a hen house, who escaped being bashed over the head with a spade by a whisker.

"Molly was very nervous and in poor condition because she had been tormented by a dog day after day through being kept in a hutch too small for her to escape her misery and then there were the two old men, Micky, who was in great pain and unable to eat because of untreated dental problems and Herbert, who was completely blind and in appalling condition, having been abandoned to his fate."

All these and all the rest were nursed back to good health and found new homes.

After the effort they go to with the ferrets, it's probably no surprise Ann and Anne vet new owners very carefully.

An example.

"We had a mother and two boys come along to see if they could have a ferret," said Ann.

"The boys were fine with them, handling them carefully and doing all the right things. Then I said to the mother, 'Go on, you pick one up'.

" 'Oh no, I couldn't,' she replied. 'I can't stand them. The boys will look after them.'

"Well, I'm afraid you can't have one, I told her. If the boys aren't there and something happens to the ferret, you'll have to deal with it. And you can't. I'm not prepared to compromise a ferret's welfare.

"At first she was really put out, but she rang back later to say she could see the sense in what I was saying and agreed with me.

"These little animals we have here have been through enough already and we are not going to let them go to any homes we are not 101 per cent happy with."

It's this commitment to the cause that has gained Droitwich Ferret Welfare its award and will make 2005 a better year for sad ferrets in Worcestershire.

n If you need to contact Droitwich Ferret Welfare, the phone numbers are 01905 796050 or 01299 851685.