OOOH!  My server makes me furious.  I'm thinking about switching.  Any
suggestions?  The blasted thing always cuts off my first few lines.  SIGH.
 
Anyway, I use nylon dog collars.  We don't have any problems with the thread
being pulled.  After awhile the collar may develop some fuzz on it from
being scratched, just get a pair of scissors and trim it!  Another thing,
there are two reasons why nylon collars shrink - 1.  the obvious, the ferret
grows.  2.  they get wet.  When you bathe your ferrets take the collar off!
Basically once every few days stick your pinky under the collar to make sure
it isn't getting too tight.  To prevent nylon from fraying, lightly burn the
end you cut.  Viola!  No more fraying.  If you have problems with nylon
collars you probably want to switch to leather collars or handmade collars.
Anything you choose is fine, as long as you have some form of ID on your
ferret.
 
By the way, when you first put a collar on your ferret, your ferret will do
everything in his/her power to convince you that he/she is dying.  Mine do
it when I put their collars on after a bath.  It's kind of funny to watch.
 
Harnesses - mine get our of their harnesses inside the house by purposely
hooking it on something and yanking so the velcro comes undone.  I use
harnesses for outside time, which they have come to recognize.
 
To those who have your ferrets go outside (even on rare occasions) or if
your ferret has run of your house (when your home or not home) - PLEASE USE
A COLLAR!  One of my ferrets is a stray.  I don't know what I'd do if they
accidentally got out without a collar.  Your ferret will not be able to
survive by himself.  If you don't want to buy one, email me and I"LL buy
you one and put a name tag and bells on it too if you want.  If you live
within a hour drive (sorry, but the military won't let me go any further)
of Alexandria, VA, I'll be more than pleased to show you if it is too tight
or not.
 
Angela
Gumbi (I used to hate my harness until mom used it only for trips
       outside.)
Duncan (I don't really care about the collar thing anymore - JUST GET
        THESE BLASTED BELLS OFF ME!!!)
[Posted in FML issue 1443]