Well, ferrets were used historically, eg see "Full Revelations of a Professional Rat-Catcher, after 25 Years’ Experience" by Ike Matthews (1898) https://www.gut

Well, ferrets were used historically, eg see "Full Revelations of a Professional Rat-Catcher, after 25 Years’ Experience" by Ike Matthews (1898) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/17243/17243-h/17243-h.htm https://www.gutenberg.org/files/17243/17243-h/17243-h.htm