1) Is it okay to keep a ferret in a basement in a cage all day while I'm at
work.  The basement has two casement windows, a furnace, and temps don't
generally fall below 55 degrees farenheit in the winter (I live in
Massachusetts).  There's not a great deal of light, and it's a tad damp, as
basements tend to be; is that okay????
 
2) One pet store i've viewed ferrets at in Massachusetts (Pet store "A")
keeps them in a giant, aquarium-like container, filled with pine shavings (I
know, I know--both are big "no-no's").  Also, Pet Store "A's" staff seems to
be mostly teenagers who don't really know much about ferrets.  The other
place, Pet Store "B," keeps them in a wire container, with rabbit pellets at
the bottom of the cage, and whose staff is much more informed.  The issue is
that Pet Store "A" only charges $130; Pet Store "B," $150.  Should I fork
over the extra $20 bucks because my chances of getting a healthier critter
are better--or am I being too cautious???
 
Thanks
[Posted in FML issue 1696]