Greeting to FML - I would like to add my two cents worth to some posts I have been reading. 1)Time for ferrets - when you make a commitment to something as important as another living creature that commitment has to be honored, at all costs. I have found that I don't have as much time for my 3 cats (all adopted) as I used to, but the thought of giving them up is out of the question. I do not want to be part of the "throw away" attitudes that are plaguing our society today. 2) Breeders - ALL breeders should take a hard look at the numbers of shelter ferrets and use those numbers to determine how many, if any, babies should be put out there for sale. Shelters all over the country are filled to maximum capacity and we are worrying about what colors are acceptable to breed. The first issue, shelter ferrets, should be addressed before thinking about adding to the already overwhelming burden our shelter moms/dads are facing today. 3) Guidelines for pet stores - should be made available by shelters, breeders, or ferret-smart people. There is plenty of information out there, available at no cost, that should be given to any pet store that looks like it is not following safe, healthy standards for ferrets. Any person going into a pet store that is not using these standards has a moral obligation to speak to the owner/manager about the bad conditions and to insist that the situation be corrected. We can't just look at the adorable baby, wish we could buy it and then walk away and HOPE that the little one gets a home soon. I did this once with a sick kit at a pet store and then decided to work a deal with store owner. When I called to make arrangements to buy baby, I was told that she had been STOLEN!!! I cried for days, but mostly I promised that I would never just leave without saying or doing something. This is not meant to blame or fault anyone, but I, like everyone else, has an opinion and this is one of the place that it can be aired. The discussions that take place with this group is very healthy and more discussions about all subjects should be encouraged, even when all parties don't agree. Discussion (not to be mistaken with flaming) is very advantageous to more information getting out to the people that need and want to hear it. Phyl & The Furrats [Posted in FML issue 3219]