[inclusions from my original article deleted]
 
I hope this gets through, as I do not always have good luck answering
such postings.
 
I have had a male albino ferret (Nick) for about three years.  He has
NEVER been in a cage, and I can not imagine ever having a ferret and
keeping him/her in a cage.
 
We are very close and he goes most places wth me.  He is paper-trained
most of the time.  He will have an accident when he is too far from
his papers.  They have tiny systems, and when they have to go, they
have to go.
 
Not keeping a ferret in a cage requires more time and patience when
they are young, but it is worht the extra effort by the time they
have matured.  Nick is a faithful compnion and will follow me most
everywhere in my house.  When I shower, he waits by the tub.
When I practice (music), he lies at the base of my stand.  By never
being in a cage, (one must have patience, its like having a very active 2
year old somtimes)-- the animal, who is smarter than any dog or cat--
has become very social.
 
He has NEVER been struck.  I have used voice commands with im since I
got him at the age of 6 weeks.  He has never bitten anyone, although
he sometimes plays a bit rough.
 
I think a cage causes a ferret to become agressive.  Imagine keeping
a dog in a cage its whole life.  Try to keep yours out as much as possible.
 
Good luck and regards
 
alan gardiner
 
[We try as much as possible to let them out of their cages, but only
while supervised.  We felt that even after ferret proofing the rooms
we let them run around in, there are too many dangers for them.  That,
and of course since their not perfectly litter trained.]
                                                                          
[Posted in FML 0001]