In memory of Spirit how about amking sure that as few ferrets as possible
die due to the abuses and neglect of animal hoarders.
 
These sites have info to get to your state legislators, your governor,
and to whichever branches of government handle ferret permits or licences
in those states where ferret get those like dogs and cats do.  If you
don't know who represents you in your state then your town hall, or
reference librarian can help you.  If you happen to know of legislators
who have a history of animal-helping bills then be sure to contact them.
 
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/hoarding.html, and
http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/MunicipaLawyer.pdf and
http://www.legis.state.il.us/publicacts/pubact92/acts/92-0454.html and
http://www.mhsource.com/pt/p000425.html
 
I just checked them and all still work.
 
At this point ONLY ONE state has any level of this sort of legislation to
protect animals (IL).  Animal hoarders are sometimes gotten due to health
and building code violations (which are stronger in many -- and I'd
venture to guess all -- states than animal abuse laws), and some are
gotten due to suits by humane groups (which often lack money to pursue
this readily).  It is very important that hoard stops, but it has to be
done at the ground level with everyone trying in their own states.  No
one can afford to sit back and assume the next person will do something,
or nothing will get done!
[Posted in FML issue 3857]