I am in agreement with your opinion that the loosening of restrictions for
hobby breeders seems a bit on the ultra liberal side-- but you need to know
that dogs and cats are not mandatory spay/neuter as far as the USDA
regulations go.  The ferret spay/neuter restrictions, in my experience, are
set basically at the state level.  One thing that needs to be claified by
USDA however is the appropriate age to which a ferret can be sold in a
petstore.
 
According to the USDA cats and dogs must be eight weeks of age -- however
they have no specifications on ferrets.  I would like to see the eight week
limitation extended to ferrets as well-- giving them equal restrictions ,
or coverage with cats and dogs at least pertaining to age of sale.
 
alicia
[Posted in FML issue 2382]