Re: fuzzybutts, medical opinion disclaimers/Blizzard wants to eat: I'm glad that you are concerned. If every Johnny-come-lately dispensed opinions as though they were medical facts, we'd have some fuzzies at real risk. Yes, I'm sure it does sound like medical advice, and I'm generally pretty careful about including disclaimers and the source of my information as I did in this case. There are some posts listing certain conditions (the ones that can be life-threatening in a short time span) that I push "do something!" I should have added that .5cc is the minimal dosage Dr. Kendrick recommended. Re: Shelter turn around time: It sounds as though you have a very manageable, if not profitable business going here. I agree with you that ferrets should be held at a shelter until their health can be verified. Sick ferrets should not be adopted to anyone who is not fully aware of the illness and experienced with its treatment and medical maintenance costs and life expectancy. And while I'm truly not sure that love can be measured as can other motives for rendering maintenance care, I do agree that you seem to know what's good for you and your ferrets. >...If the ferret is obviously symptomatic of an illness, I will refuse to >take the ferret and will direct the owner to the nearest vet for treatment. >I simply will not accept a knowingly sick ferret - period. I've done this >in the past, much to my regret..." If this is truly your prerequisite for accepting ferrets, I personally do not consider your operation a "shelter". In my experience, many, too many ferrets are neglected and eventually surrendered, if they don't do their owners the favor of dieing first, because of the expense of necessary medical treatment. Directing "the owner to the nearest vet" is simply the formal death sentence. Pet owners generally know where to find a vet, they've been there... that's why they've resorted to a "shelter" for their pet's care. I honestly never thought of charging adoption fees according to color. Our adoption fees are according to age, or how long the ferret has been at the shelter. Some of our older ferrets even go "free to a good home". (And there are some hefty requirements to qualify for that one... Free by mail upon request. Ferrets First Foster Home, 516 Van Sandt Carthage, TX 75633) Debi Christy Ferrets First Foster Home, Carthage, TX [Posted in FML issue 3020]