We just recently purchased a beautiful 12 week old spayed and descented female ferret a few days ago for my 15 year old daughter, from a local pet store. Niobie is a bundle of joy and a thrill to watch, and a wonderful addition to our family. Being a true animal lover, besides having a black lab, a mini dachshund, a declawed cat and a blue and gold macaw named Syd and tanks of tropical fish, I signed on to this wonderful Ferret Digest and am learning a lot of important information. Since I did, I am also concerned about a few things too. Sorry this may seem like old news to you, but being a "new grandma" I would like to learn all I can. I am reading of all these terriable desieses that our dear ferrets could get and that scares me, but with having parrots, you do learn that there is a lot of scarry things out there and you learn to be careful and what to watch for. Where can I go to learn about ADS, ECE and what is a test kit? And do I need one and if so, how do I get one? Other stupid questions I have are: - How often should you bath a ferret? - What states don't allow ferrets as pets? And why? - Why don't you tell an emergency room/ doctor that you were bitten by a ferret, and claim it was your cat? - Where can I go to find a site to give me home made ideas for ferret toys and games and such? - I was told she had her shots and won't be due till she's 6 months old, but I will get her to the vet next week, just to be sure. I usually do a lot of research befor purchasing a pet - I read everything I could, befor I got my parrot. Syd was 4 year old biter, who now is the biggest baby, and no longer a biter. I have been doing a lot of research since we brought little Niobie home, but sometimes you don't get the whole story and I want to learn all I can so that our little baby will have a happy and healthy long life. Oh and yes we have been very careful with the dogs and Niobie, in fact Tavi the doxie, just loves her - probally because it the first animal that is smaller that her - the cat and parrot are both bigger! Erin and I would appreciate any info you can give. Gratefully; Barbara Pasko, from Indiana [Posted in FML issue 3470]