Just as an FYI, the official J.K. Rowling site is at:
http://www.jkrowling.com
 
Once there, look for "extra stuff" (it's the coffee cup on the main
menu).  Once to the "extra stuff" menu, look for "characters" and click
on "Some random facts about the Weasley family" If you do this, you will
find the following quote from Ms. Rowling herself:
 
"However, since childhood I have had a great fondness for the family
mustelidae; not so much malignant as maligned, in my opinion."
 
She then goes on to state that she has always been rather fond of
red-haired individuals as well as weasels.
[Posted in FML issue 4541]