I recently picked up a ferret who was turned in as a "give up" to a small breeder. I was really disturbed by the conditions in which his ferrets were housed - it was a small room, several cages, lots of poop, dirty bedding, etc. The ferret I picked up was full of fleas. Yes, it's possible he came with them, but you'd think that anyone who considered themself a "rescue" would check for that before bringing them anywhere near their other animals and this ferret had been with the breeder for at least a few days. I cannot imagine that the guy I picked up is the only one with flees - if he was, he's undoubtedly shared them after his arrival. I think I have some pretty normal standards as far as cleanliness go, I wash bedding 2xweek, scoop 2xday and if something is on the cage bottom, on the floor, on the wall, I clean it up when I see it....not a week later. I'm sure this person has provided permenant care for several ferrets and adoptive homes for many others. I hate to cast stones at someone who's doing good deeds, but I question doing them if you're not able to do so in accordance with minimum standards. Maybe I'm too picky? The ferrets looked healthy, he handled them with care - the place was just dirty. And judging from his private residence, I don't think I just caught him on a bad day - he's just plain got a different level of "acceptable" than I do. So, to act or not to act....that is the question. [JY] [Posted in FML issue 3578]