People, (and paige) the ferret food person was contacted, and responded.
My assumption was correct.  To quote from the reply, the ferrets "...have
over 33 acres to play on whenever they choose".  This was not a 'run out,
plop ferret in snow, take picture, grab ferret and run back to warm house'
situation.  My ferrets would 'choose' to go outside too.  Look how many
heartbreaking posts we have from people whose ferrets 'chose' to exit the
house.
 
I find the situation 'interesting', but a bit unsettling.
 
Georgia, the left coast one...
[Posted in FML issue 2768]