Just a few general tips on ferret math: 1. Space ages when possible. It is terrible to have two sick or dying about the same time. Having three, four, five... doing so is absolutely horrid. 2. Let yourself have a number of years with low numbers of ferrets first if at all possible. There's simply a lot to learn about ferret health and behavior, and a few years won't teach enough of those things. We never went above three for the first five years or perhaps even longer. (It's hard to remember the dates that far back so am guesstimating.) Now, here we are, having had them share our lives for a very long time (about 18 years), and knowing that the early caution paid off for us all, especially for the ferrets. Time will pass; it always does. 3. DO take in consideration how much time, individual time, observation time, and money (essentials, medical care, etc) you need for each and let that also keep you to a number which is best for the ferrets. 4. If renting, or if likely to be renting during the ferrets' lifespans stay to a number you can hide easily unless you have a secure, long term, written "pets-allowed" arrangement. 5. On and off are people who post because they simply got more ferrets than they could manage and then they got so fed up that instead of compromising they turned their over-response on it's head and gave up all of them. Moderation and logical, loving compromise make for long-term success. 6. Although they are rare ferret allergies do exist. One of the most common age brackets for developing allergies (even first allergies, and even severe allergies) is during one's twenties. Keeping anything in moderation at that point makes sense from a health stand-point, too. 7, 8, 9, 10: These tip spaces are for other ferret people to fill in and post... [Posted in FML issue 3161]