I will share the good news first... 1) I was able to get all the flyers for the ferret symposium up at all the petstores in my area and my vet's office. I will attempt to get them distributed to the other vets I am familiar with very soon. 2) I spoke at great length with one of the Petco managers today and found out more about their experiences with MF ferrets. I told this manager what I am trying to accomplish and there is a chance that this manager might participate in it but does not want names included due to the fact that this manager is scared of losing their position. 3) I educated some of the employees who have been there a long time about ferrets. 4) I was able to get through to Peter Reid's (head of MF), assistant today and after speaking with her at length, she promised me that Peter would call me tomorrow. I wont hold my breath. The bad news: 1) I found out that a girl I had met once, had both of her MF ferrets die recently from unknown causes. Apparently the vet bills were huge and they never could determine what the cause of death was. Both were very young ferrets (under two years). I am going to speak with her tomorrow to find out more details. I spoke with her aunt who told me that they are very devastated and not ready for any more ferrets. 2) I went into a Petco in my area that has never carried ferrets before. They had a black sable and a panda that are six months old (another store could not sell them, so they were transferred). Both are MF and the panda is deaf. The good part of it is that they are being very cautious about who adopts them and they are asking some really good questions. Both ferrets must be sold together and are in a huge cage with four levels and lots of toys. These ferrets are very well taken care of. Petco is going to sell them at 40% off, including cage. They want to make sure that the ferrets go to a very good home that knows how to deal with a deaf ferret. I commended them for this. The manager was thankful and I told her to send the Ferrets 2002 Annual home with whoever takes them in. She asked me about my background and how come I cannot take them. I told her about my background with ferrets and showed her the article I wrote about proofing. She was so happy and asked me to help find these two a home (and if I could help "screen" potential adopters). The bad news is that I found out that this same Petco is opening in a larger location in the mall and will then start carrying ferrets on a regular basis! I practically tore my hair out on this one. Both are average size MF ferrets, didn't nip and seemed sweet. I promised to help, so I am, but I would much rather see people adopt shelter ferrets. I am worried that these ferrets are going to be sent back to MF and destroyed. They are six months old already, and most of the people who come in want kits. [Posted in FML issue 3623]