Hi Debra -
 
That gray shredded cardboard like stuff you mentioned is probably a
product called Care Fresh.  Most of all the PETCO stores use it for their
critters.  It is a sanitary product made from paper product left overs.
I use it for my guys, it really controls the odor and it isn't a bad thing
to use because it is much more expensive than say, wood pellets.
 
The clumping litter is bad though, the dust is bad for the babies.
 
If I were concerned about the conditions, I would talk to the Manager and
while I was at it I would tell them how rude their employee was.  If that
person is rude to people, I would hate to think how she treats the
animals.
 
Most of the PETCO store managers wanted to be good to their animals or
just haven't taken the time to know what they need.  After all a lot of
them work in that industry because they like critters.
 
In the off chance the Manager were to blow me off.  I would just go higher
up until the problems were solved.  Just rescuing the ferrets makes them
just order more and then the newbies still end up in the same bad
conditions.
 
Kim Reyes
John L. Scott Real Estate
Westside Residential Specialist
Direct:  (503) 380-4195
Fax: (503) 579-8745
Toll Free:  1-877-490-2595
Voice Mail:  (503) 245-6052 x 180
Website:  http://www.kimreyes.com
[Posted in FML issue 3567]