It sounds as if this young man just wants us to tell him that his ferrets
will be fine outside.  He doesn't want to hear that it is too hot, or
that they can be eaten by animals or bugs and such.  He does not want to
hear that next summer, if they survive will be even hotter than it is
right now.  He does not want to hear that he might consider finding homes
for them where they will be allowed to live inside because it is safer
and healthier for THEM.  Nope, he wants to hear that what he has done is
fine and it will be ok.  He does not want to give up his animals, even
if in doing so he might save their lives.  He wants to keep them, and he
will continue to keep them outside because this is the only place they
are allowed to live as long as they continue to live with him.
 
So why ask us in the first place?
 
He was given some very valid information on the heat and predators and
such, all very good reasons that living outside is not in the best
interests of these ferrets.  That is the key, the best interests of the
ferrets.  He has chose to do what suits his needs right now.  We all know
that it is doubtful these ferrets are going to survive the winter, and if
they do, next summer outside will be far to hot for survival.  But he
does not want to hear that.  Again, he wants to hear that putting them
outside is going to be ok.
 
I can't tell him that it is ok, because it isn't.
 
Kim in Reno
[Posted in FML issue 4291]