Hi everyone -
Thank you for ALL the wonderful advice.  I have a HUGE range of opinions
and I am starting to feel guilty about my current situation.
 
When I first moved into my current apartment, they declared they had dog
buildings, cat buildings etc.  I told them I eventually wanted to get a
dog.  The lady said that if I didn't own one at the time of moving in that
it would be stupid to wait for a dog apartment to open up and pay all the
extra money ($650 deposit, $10 extra per month rent).  So, I got an
apartment and it said "no pets" on the lease.  yuk.
 
So, I asked her about aquariums..she said "oh sure, just not a huge one -
too much water"...I had a 10 gallon..no problem.  It was 7 months to my
wedding, and I was living alone.  Loneliness set in.  To get a dog I would
have to move.  I was afraid to ask about cats, because the guy below me had
a cat that sat in the window and always looked at me.  I didn't want to get
him in trouble.  So, I researched ferrets.  Smuggled them in.  yuk.  (the
shame).  Loneliness disappeared.  Then came the day my brother asks me to
watch his little dog.  So as not to get thrown out over a dog, I asked one
of the rental managers if I could keep him over night.  She said "Ok, as
long as he doesn't bark - you are in a 'cat building'." I was mad.  They
never mentioned that I was in a cat building.  NOt that I would give up my
ferrets for a cat, but I could have felt better about the whole thing.
 
Now, with my new husband, we have to add him to the lease.  We have barely
any room and are looking to rent elsewhere..hence the question about
renting with ferrets.  BUT, for the time being, should we take the
following approach: Pretend hubby owns ferrets, would like to be added to
lease, have lease modified if they allow it..everything fine?  But, they
could say no...then they suspect us, send in maintenance spy and all HECK
breaks loose.  And to clarify to everyone - if the ferrets are thrown out,
I go with them...there is no option for a shelter/ giving them up.  I would
have to make it seem to the rental office that these ferrets are a new item
(ie: moving in with my hubby)
 
OR, I could just put hubby on lease, leave the ferrets as refugees and
continue to take them to my mom's when maintenance is scheduled.
 
I am still looking to move to a bigger place, but with all the opinions, my
guilt is overwhelming.  I know it is bad, but I was desperate for them back
then and made some quick (wrong to some) decisions.
 
Thanks for all the advice..Somehow, we will make things right.
 
Stephanie, Chimi & Pepe (who refuse to be called cats)
[Posted in FML issue 2657]