>Okay... with all the discussion on breeding, here's my question.
>How am I to find a reputable breeder?
 
Ask beforehand about seeing copies of the lines' health and longevity
records (and not only of the ferrets they kept) and about speaking with
others who have ferrets from the line.  Don't assume that just because
one ferret, a few ferrets, or one line there are long lived that all will
be, and since some people tend to assume upwards on ferret ages see if
the records include vet records to check for age as well as health.
 
If people make a claim which just plain doesn't make sense such as not
having any malignancies in their ferrets or not having any medical
problems with neural crest genetics get it in writing along with the
person's agreement to pay for any medical needs, testing, or behavioral
needs for the ferret's lifetime.  Basics of genetics do not take a
holiday for anyone, variable expression or handicaps is not a personal
exemption, and while it may be possible to lower some rates of common
sets of illnesses such as the many malignancies mammals can get the risk
is not totally eliminated.  As the old saying goes, "If something seems
to good to be true, it probably isn't." That doesn't prevent some people
from self-delusion because they so badly want to be the select one
breeder who beat the basics of biology, and it doesn't prevent others
from lying.
 
Check out the facility.
 
Talk with the treating vet (and compare the number the vet treats with
what you think may be the total number of ferrets there since some
abusers get care only for the minority of ferrets.
 
See about having a vet check-up by a vet your select yourself before
finalization.
 
If you know the person you may choose to go for personal trust first of
all.  That's your call on each one independently.
 
Check out the ferret yourself.
 
Search in various websites and through search engines to see if perhaps
the person has been in trouble for animal abuse which is obviously a
very bad sign.
 
Alternatively, adopt one from a shelter you trust and know that if the
little one has serious problems, well at least you gave him or her a
chance that would never have existed otherwise by providing love, a good
home, and regular vet care.
 
[P.S.] One more thing:
Also see if the breeder has the appropriate license/permit, a breeders'
one instead of just a hobbyist one.  Not all states require that for
breeding but many do and in those states there are sometimes attached
requirements, inspections, and proof of veterinary care.  It's more that
a breeder who is in a state which requires a breeder's license or permit
might be hiding something if the person goes for a hobbyist permit only
(as happened in one abuse case in this state) or has no permit or license
at all.  So, that could be a warning flag because there might be garage
or shed somewhere stacked with filthy, tiny cages and malnourished
breeders rife with tumors.  It's happened before too many times.  In
one case in juxtaposition to those suffering ferrets the person had show
ribbons on a table.  Sick, huh?
[Posted in FML issue 4680]