Hi Kaiti First, let me say that you sound like a wonderfully intelligent, responsible young person. It's so good to see someone (of any age!) doing such careful research before adopting a pet. It's always best to try to get an idea of what you're getting into! >First of all, if someone is allergic to cats, will they be allergic to >ferrets? Not necessarily. Cats have an enzyme in their saliva that causes irritation in many people, especially given the fact that cats groom themselves regularly, and their hair ends up everywhere. I myself am fairly allergic to cats but I don't have problems with ferrets (except intact males). >Also, how well do they get along with dogs? It sounds as though your dog may get along with a ferret, provided that the ferret isn't overly rambunctious. Perhaps you might consider adopting an adult ferret from a shelter. Ferrets are a little less spastic once they're past a year or so old. <g> Of course you will *always* want to supervise their interaction. >Cage size. I am away at school all day (8:30-3:30) so my ferret would >have to be in his cage all day. I'd like to give him the best possible >accommodations and I've read that the sizes for cages under these >circumstances should be 2'hx2'dx3'l, which to me seems kind of small for >such an active animal. Are these sizes appropriate? I personally prefer a larger cage, or better still an entire ferret-proofed room, if possible. Keep in mind though that ferrets do sleep a great deal, and that's the extent of what most ferrets do when they are in their cages. >And finally, does any one know of a breeder or is a breeder in the greater >Toronto area? Try http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-canada.html and http://www.ferret.org/shelters.htm Happy ferreting! Gina Hart/Sage Ferrets http://www.geocities.com/sageferrets [Posted in FML issue 3075]