The idea of being overrun with ferrets is enough to make even the most ardent animal-lover blanch.

Not so Jane and Harry Ruutel, who let 46 of the slippery creatures share their home.

Jane, 48, said: "They are just the most fantastic pets. They are so comical, they are always doing something to make you laugh."

Everywhere the couple turn they find the ferrets, whether they are dashing through a specially made garden assault course or up and down trouser legs.

The pair, from Rustington, near Littlehampton, adore the animals and for the past seven years have turned their home into a sanctuary, taking in abandoned and mistreated ferrets from around Sussex and nationwide.

Contrary to popular belief, ferrets are not rodents, but members of the mustelid family, which also includes weasels, stoats and martens.

Thirty of the ferrets are the couple's own pets but the other 16 have all been brought to the sanctuary in the past few months.

Jane said: "We normally have a few here at any given time but this is much more than usual - it is almost too much for us to handle.

"We always have a lot at this time of year, when they have become fully grown.

"A lot of people like having them when they are babies but find they can't handle them once they are adults.

"The trouble is I find it very hard to turn them down when they are brought here."

Many of the animals have been used as "working" ferrets, taken into fields and sent to chase rabbits out of their holes so they can be caught by hunters.

They come to the Ruutels by different means. Often they have been rescued by the RSPCA or by owners who admit they cannot handle them.

Jane and Harry have been desperately searching for new homes for the 16 ferrets but have struggled to find willing owners who can provide suitable places for them.

Jane said: "We don't want to end up having them brought back to us again."

They have now launched an appeal for people to come forward to house Thelma, Louise, Sage, Onion, Frodo, Jackson, Tina, Quai, Apollo, Zeus, Rufi, Jonno, Heather, Nich, Rose and Arthur.

Jane said: "They are wonderful animals. They are obedient like dogs and playful like cats and they know when you need looking after.

"I remember when my dad died a couple of years ago. I was really upset and I was lying on the floor crying.

"One of the ferrets came over and licked away my tears while a couple of others clowned around to make me smile.

"It sounds ridiculous but they really helped me through a tough time."

Anyone interested in taking in one of the ferrets should contact Jane and Harry via www.ferretfascination.co.uk