Sometime next year, we'll get regulations concerning how to keep ferrets.
This is an extract of the proposal as it stands now.  Swedish text is
available on http://www.icl.se/%7Eurf/iller_lag/
   --- --- ---
Extract from a PROPOSAL from the Swedish bureau of agriculture regarding
changes to the rules for keeping pets
 
Chapter 7 Special regulations for ferrets
 
General
1 A ferret may not be let loose outdoors.
2 A ferret may not be fitted with a nose ring or muzzle.
3 A ferret shall have access to a stimulating environment to give it
  something to do.
4 Adult ferrets who displays aggressitivity to each other may not be kept
  together in a way which can result in damages or stress.
5 A female ferret must be brought out of heat before risk of fatal
  marrowdepression (fatal anemia) occurs.
6 Ferret kits may not be separated from the mother before they are eight
  weeks old.
 
Cages
7 Netting, fences and other openings in a keeping area must have such
  size that the animals cannot get their heads through them.
8 A ferret may not be kept in a cage with a bottom made of netting.
 
Interior
9 A ferret shall have a box for sleeping or living with dry, soft and
  clean stuffing.  If several ferrets are kept together they shall all
  have space enough in one or several boxes without competion for the
  space or aggressetivity occurs.  A box for sleeping or living shall be
  made in such fashion that good hygiene can be maintained and to let the
  animals take natural sleeping positions in it.
10 A breeding female with kits shall have a box for living with space for
   the female to birth and take care of her kits.  A living space for a
   ferret with kits outdoors or a not heated space shall during cold
   weather be able to be given extra heat.
11 A Female with kits shall have access to a shelf for her alone and
   unreachable for the kits.
 
Appendix 2
table 1 Space requirement
Smallest   smallest area   smallest space  smallest      smallest
permitted  per animal      per breeding    measurment    height
area       for groups      female for      on smallest
                           groups          side
5 m2       1 m2            2 m2            1 m           1 m
 
table 2 Space during temporary
        storage during a maximum of 16 hours per day
Smallest   smallest area   smallest space  smallest      smallest
permitted  per animal      per breeding    measurment    height
area       for groups      female for      on smallest
                           groups          side
1 m2       0.5 m2          2 m2            0.5 m         0.5 m
--
 Urban Fredriksson  [log in to unmask]  http://www.ki.icl.se/urf/
 Svenska tam-illerf|reningen / The Swedish Ferret Society
 Malmv{gen 23, 191 61  Sollentuna, 0701-55 11 55
 http://www.ki.icl.se/urf/ferrets/stif/
[Posted in FML issue 1398]