HI Angela... First I would like to say that the decision you are conteplating requires ALOT of love and care... It sounds to me like you already KNOW what is best for your little fuzzbutt... I cant speak for everyone here but the insight you're showing into your little girls needs is so valuable and it makes you a good ferret mommy (even if you give her away)... being a parent means doing what's best for your kids, furkids count! I KNOW how hard it is to part with a loved pet... 6 years ago I moved in with my mother after being on my own for 5 years... I had a cat with me (Nosferatu, nossie for short)... he was a sweetheart,... IS a sweetheart but he BONDED with my mother so when I moved out of her home I made the decision to leave my loved pet where he was happiest with my mommy... she loves him and takes wonderful care of him and I get to visit whenever I want so... its easier than it could have been but I do understand the depth of the decision... I would also like to comment on the cost issue... I understand you would like to have what you put in if your not going to have the pet but I think you should consider the new owner... If you find a ferret friendly home (somebody that already HAS ferrets) you might want to consider giving your loved pet to them FREE ... you might even want to place an ad in your local paper stating your are looking for an Established ferret home for your baby and that the cost is negotiable... I think its better to find your baby a place full of love than one full of money (not that they cant be one and the same).... One last thing... I understand that bonding happens really quickly with pets ... try to remember that they bond too... if you are going to surrender her to another owner you should do it quickly ... Im sure (even at this point) she will miss her old mommy... but the sooner the better so that the baby might be less traumatized by the move... again... I would like to stress that if you KNOW in your heart that your furkid would be better in another home, you shouldnt feel guilty for acting on that... It makes you a good person... NOT a bad one! A lesser person would dwell on the guilt and keep a pet in a situation that is unhealthy or happy for that pet... I respect you for even considering your little furkids life. Dooks, Dance and .... more poop?????? -Betty http://profiles.msn.com. [Posted in FML issue 3229]