After reading the post on selling ferrets at the Ft. Washington show, I would like to express my opinion. I would like to respectfully disagree with the poster. I think it is a wonderful idea to adopt ferrets out at ferret shows. What better place to provide the potential adopter with information, products, contacts, etc.? Most people at ferret shows are there because they are interested about ferrets. It's not a driving-by, look-mom-there's-a-ferret-show, let's-pay-$4-to-get-in kind of compulsive act. They attend because they want to learn/see/touch ferrets specifically. I very nearly adopted two ferrets at two separate ferret shows (both hosted by Balto. Ferret Club, which I must say were wonderful). The potential adoptees were from two different shelters, as well. The first was when we just had Slinky, Gizmo, and Kyle. I wanted another Herdling and found this beautiful, gigantic, retired-breeder for adoption. As Sean and I wandered the other booths to ponder our decision, another family discovered him. I spoke with the family for 10 mins or more, trying to gauge their enthusiasm, provide ferret knowledge, make suggestions on products, etc. In the end I was satified with what I saw and "sacrificed" the fella to them. The people placing the ferret also questioned them and had them fill out forms. I saw the family later on trying to stuff a big Martin's cage (certainly large enough for 3 ferrets) and a bag of Totally Ferret into their car. The second was a beautiful marked-white female. She was all white except for a black streak that ran down her backbone and onto her tail. I really wanted her badly, but it was just after Gizmo's adrenal surgery, and I was afraid to put myself into a financial burden with a sixth ferret. The shelter asked me questions about my current ferrets, their diet, their housing, other pets, etc. I thought they were very thorough. To make a long story short, I think it is a wonderful opportunity for shelters to get their adoptees out in the public eye. I would encourage shelters to get out there to shows. But make sure that you are willing to sit the potential adopter down for a chat. Being surrounded by ferret owners and ferret lovers is the best way to learn about these beasts and bring a new (or first) baby into your home. It certainly beats standing alone next to a fishtank full of underage kits with no knowledgable salesperson in sight. ===== Aileen & the Herd minus one Herdling Slinky, Kyle, Noel, Sandy, & Rootie the beagle Missing Gizmo so much. We love you, baby. *$*$* Want an easier way to pay for auctions or receive pay from auction winners? Want to earn $10 for nothing? Click on this link (or cut and paste) to sign up and see for yourself: https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=anippy%40yahoo.com [Posted in FML issue 2984]