I am asking for any information you may have concerning the following: Last month, I went into a pet store (one that sells animals) to see for myself after I had heard that this pet store was keeping ferrets in fishtanks. I was totally appauled when I came across the section where the ferrets were being kept. There, in 10 gallon fishtanks, they had baby ferrets which I was told were 6 to 8 weeks old. I asked why they were keeping them in fishtanks and I was told for the safety of the animals. I suggested that they keep them in a large cage (and possibly put fiberglass around the cage in order for customers not to stick their fingers in the cage and was told that they sell them so quickly that they do not stay in the fishtanks that long). A few weeks later, I went back to this pet store and saw a few of the babies that I had seen the last time I was there (who were of course bigger now) and another ferret that I didn't remember seeing before (and might have passed over this ferret the last time) who looked to be practically full grown in 10 gallon fishtanks. These ferrets are being housed in these fishtanks with litter in them where they go to the bathroom and also where they eat. They have no room to exercise. This, to me, is inhumane. I was told as long as they are watered and fed, and their cages are clean, that there really is nothing further that can be done. Nonsense! If these pet stores (and I am sure there are others out there that use the same methods) are going to take the responsibility to house these ferrets, then they should take the responsibility of housing them in proper living conditions. Needless to say, it projects a bad picture to any propsective buyers of these ferrets or any other ferrets. People will think -- "well, if the pet store I got this ferret from can keep them in fishtanks, so can I. Why go out and spend the money for a cage when I have an old fishtank downstaris in the basement." For this particular pet store, after contacting some people, I was able to get them to put up a sign stating that keeping ferrets in fishtanks is not the method to house them and that they should be housed in a cage.... That's not good enough. Ferrets should NOT be kept in 10 gallon fishtanks or any other fishtank. They are not fish. Further, we do not put puppies or kittens in fishtanks at pet stores, we should not be putting ferrets in fishtanks at pet stores. If you know of any pet stores that are keeping ferrets in fishtanks, please email me personally with the name of the pet store and the address. For starters, I am in the process of compiling a list of the pet stores that are doing this and your input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you -- On behalf of all our ferrets in this world We are their voices, we are their hope. [Posted in FML issue 3542]