About the abused, litter-untrainable ferret...
    Well, you've tried confining the ferret to an area so small that he was
forced to poop on himself, and he still wouldn't use the litter box, so
what's next?  I advise you to get a copy of the cheap paperback book
"Ferrets, A Complete Pet Owner's Manual," by Chuck & Fox Morton.  The book
shows you how to build a cage with a wire section in the floor that the
ferret can poop on and it falls through into a litter box underneath.  This
system is also good for sick or geriatric ferrets that just won't make the
effort to climb into the litter box, no matter how low you cut the sides.
Don't take the ferret out to play until you've seen him use the potty!
 
    I should'nt have to tell you not to ever put a ferret in a "box," and I
can't wait to see what the FMLers have to say about your boyfriend!
                                                       Cheers, Judith
[Posted in FML issue 1404]