Anne~ Your post really got to me and I can certainly empathize with you on this tough decision. I did not know your brother and cannot pretend to know what he wanted except for the fact that he trusted all of you to take care of his ferrets. It is obvious to me that you are doing your absolute best with limited resources and often one must make a decision that is best for the ferrets - not necessarily the most appealing one for the human. It sounds like your parents are also suffering and mourning the loss of your brother and simply don't understand what to do with the ferrets either. My belief is that your brother loved them very much, and would want what is best, whether it is with you or your parents or someone else. Is there anyone in your area that could provide a good, permanent home for them? I have NOTHING against shelters at all, but these ferret have already been through enough lately and probably would not do well in a shelter (older ferrets and "shelter shock"). There are many kind shelter operators out there that would be willing to take them and provide really great care, possibly even keeping them as their own. It is certainly difficult to find homes for older ferrets that have adrenal cancer, but such wonderful people exist. I can think of one right now...but they are in Tennessee. I agree that Bruce Williams is wonderful and I am glad that his clinic has been helping out as much as they can. Please think of the ferrets well-being over what you think your brother would have wanted, I am quite sure he would want what's best for the ferrets (and would not want to cause this much stress for his family). It is understandable why you feel as you do. I hope that someone will step forward to help you out at this time. Perhaps you could appeal to your parents from an emotional perspective of how important these ferrets were to your brother? If they have the money, they should be happy to pay for medical treatments, which is what your brother would have done/wanted. I bet you could convince them of this. I know you will do what is right. You came to the right place to find help and kind people. I am so sorry over the loss that you and your family have just suffered. Please take care and keep all of us informed. [Posted in FML issue 3280]