Please, don't flame me....I wish I could save all the ferrets, but I can't Okay, my neighbors have ferrets. Now, I don't mean some Marshals ferts inside, being spoiled, they have a Hob and (until yesterday when one died of heat) three jills, and three (until yesterday) 3 month old kits. I have been trying to talk these people into giving up these ferrets for several weeks, or at least altering them. But they are of the belief that ferrets were "made to have babies" One of the jills, which ever one is due to give birth and the older kits are kept in a metal camper shell on the ground in teh back yard. Yes, it is in the shade part of the day, but no fan, no A/C, and 100 degree days. The Hob and the other female are kept in a "rabbit" hutch of wood and wire outside. They are all skinny and they are fed Meow Mix. I had a Superpet cage, the HUGE one? Double high, adjustable shelves and tubes for sale a at a yard sale asking 50.00, she came over and looked at it, and wanted it so they could keep some of the ferrets inside during the winter. She coudn't afford to buy it, so her hubby offered to trade me one of hte kits for it. These kits are 3 months old, albino and, of course, un altered. Immediate trip to the vet. Shots and check up. Reletively healthy. SO now he is in quarentine, very sweet and loving. Clings to me when I hold him. Seems afraid. The hubby told me that if they bit him when he fed them, he hit them. This little guy is really sweet tempered and named Romeo. Okay, now my questions. Can any breeder out there give me any hints as to what I can expect from Romeo until he can be neutered? What age? Should I keep him apart from the others ( I have 9 other personals)? Is there anything special I need to do with a full hob kit? I have had adult full ferrets, but they were grown and altered as soon as possible. I want this baby to have the best start. I wish I could save all of them. But I can't. If I had an extra $100.00 I might be able to buy the other kits, but they won't part with the breeders. The lost one female yesterday to heat...and I fear for the rest. I have tried to educate them, they won't be educated. The animal cruelty investigator says that as long as they have "shelter, food and water" they can't touch them. SO I am at a loss. I keep talking to them, hoping they will give them up....but I can't afford an extra $100 right now to save the other two babies. Thanks to anyone who can give me some hints. I am hoping Romeo is the same basically as any other kit...and he WILL be neutered as soon as possible... but other than that, I just don't know. Marta Fuzzy Kisses Ferret Shelter [Posted in FML issue 3150]