Cost wasn't my motive when deciding how to get ferrets, In the UK I've never seen ferrets in a pet shop and didn't know where to start in looking for one. Friends of ours met some people from the local rescue at a festival. They said that they tend to charge around #80 ($130ish) for two (they won't let them go if they're going to be on their own). When I went to see them I fell in love with two albino brothers and was then told 'They're free to a good home.' Aparently they have trouble re-homing albinos as people want the more coloured ones. My boys were free, but that doesn't mean they won't get the best I can find for them. I decided to be prepared so before I got them I made sure I had everything they needed, found a ferret knowledgeable vet and that I saved up around #500 ($800ish) incase they need medical treatment sooner than expected. I will continue to save for them when I can as I don't want to have to worry about finance if (when) they need treatment. I've also asked for a shed for my birthday so my boys can have a big ferret house outside (It's normal for ferrets to live outside in the UK). So any day now they will have a 6'x4' shed with a 5' outside pen. It's two weeks today since I brought them home and already I can't imagine life without them. Obtaining a pet cheaply doesn't mean they won't be loved or cared for, in my case it just means I now have an extra #80 to spend on them. Jane [Posted in FML issue 3191]