Laura - another criticism of the "convenience" ferret is that the descenting can cause collapse of the rectum later in life. There are also issues of genetics, where all the females are bred with a few males. The major farms we are familiar with run very closed communities. Some might also question the destruction of females at the end of their breeding "careers." Did you ask the folks in Illinois about this? Bet the pet store doesn't know that Marshall destroys the jills around 4 years of age. Or that most of Marshall's ferrets are for research (around 70%) and they don't really understand why ferrets are owned as pets anyway. (We have a source on this info if you want to contact him yourself). Commercial ferret farms are part of a commodity system where the end users (purchasers in a pet store) frequently are not given education on the ferret. I personally support the small breeder concept with a contract between breeder and buyer. Pam Grant of the adoption shelter PET PALS in Virginia showed us her contract and my wife now uses this for adoptees. I would be happy to e-mail a copy if you like. Chip Gallo, Action Comm Research Producer, LIVING WITH FERRETS video Founder, Montgomery Ferret Club Founder, FERRET EXPO championship ferret show [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] CIS: 76376,3147 [Posted in FML issue 0367]