Hello, I had a somewhat concern like this about a year ago. A petstore manager bought her nephew a ferret (kit). Just because she was a manager at the time, does not mean she knows anything. I had a lot of issues concerning her and ferrets. ie. A six week old kit had coccidia and prolapsed rectum so bad it cried out. It was also given hard food. That kit was in bad shape. She instructed me I could not take that one to the vet because the week earlier Itook one and that the money would come out of her pocket. She left on a lunch break, I was not working that day. I called the district manager explained what I saw when I walk in the store. I didn't know how long themanager would be. I had already made a vet appointment. I just didn't tell them. He okayed it. Before the manager got back I had the kit in the vetgetting several sub Q's, meds, the kit was in bad shape. The vet didn't evencharge me. I did not return the kit to the store until her health wasbetter. The day I took kit back. She put sick kits with older well ones. Ihit the roof. I called Marshalls it wasn't long after she was fired. So, you can imagine what type of person I was dealing with. She bought him this kit. The very first night we got into it about what the ferret needs and requires. A week later the little boys sees me at the grocery store runs towards me in tears and frantic. The kit has gotten to a sticky rodent trap the night before. I had already given him my home number to call at any time. I am sure they told him not to tell me. HE pulled the sticky thing off ripping out the kits hair. The kit was in distress. I aided him and the kit. The kit made it through with no problem. There were other incidents that drove me crazy. But, he was ready to learn. I noticed the kid always having the kit in a shoe box. I asked him about it. There was a 10 gallon tank involved that is all I will say. I had an extra cage at home but I had altered it so I gave that to him along with a small pet carrier. One day another incident occured when the child was missing. He left the ferret in the small pet carrier for over 5 hours. He was not allowed out in mommies shoe store because he will poop and he smelled. Ihappen to catch up with this young man and I was not to polite at this moment with any of them. I vowed the next incident would be their last. This was the first 4 months of this kits life. I came across a better cage from one of the ferrets that I took in, so I gave him that cage and anything that I had extra. Hammocks, laxatone, shampoo anything extra. Another thing that bothered me was sometimes he did not have enough money for food or something's that he needed. I would give him the extra money. His moms shoe store was notmaking it. Summertime came and he needed someone to keep the little guy for a week. UMMM I say, if he is not healthy, he is not going back. I worked myself up because I hadn't seen him or had to assist any other incidents. I just knew he was going to be in bad shape. I tussled with myself. Low and behold this big healthy ferret was put in my hands. Oh boy, I thought he has grown to be beautiful. But mommie told me he still was a little lazy in the cleaning department. The deal between mommie and I was everything had to be striped down and cleaned before he could get the ferret back. He called me and said can I get Bandit back. I asked him did he do what he was supposed to knowing the deal that was made. He said no. I said no. A couple days later same thing. No... Well, he got the point. After two weeks, I noticed Bandit had gained a lot of weight being with me. When I took him back the boy looked at me like that's not my ferret, he was not that big. My guys have their own room with plenty of everything. He played and was so happy, he ate, and slept among the rest. He gained weight. I then found out he was not able to eat when he wanted to. I explained he always needed food available. I also gave him books. Sometimes would make him get the book and read it to me. That is not the only cage and accessories I have given away. Sometimes, if I buy something and don't like it, I will give it away. Everyone's home is different the way they take care of animals is different. If the ferret is happy and she loves it, one way of doing this is to actually show her. If you have sometime don't just take stuff over and drop it off. Assist her. Set it for her, while given some well needed information. Joke around when you tell her things she maybe more apt to remember then to be told something. Sometimes in this society people get irritated so much that when they are home. If someone tells them what they should and should not do they really don't want to hear it. Help her. It sounds to me, she just needs some guidance. I have done some goofy things and still do on occasion whenit is concerning my ferrets and other small animals in the home. I underestimated a sick little ferret (I mean little ferret), I was keeping for someone. She was out and about. Usually, she tired out in a couple of minutes, all she wanted to do was be held and never went over around the bird cages. I figured this little weak thing, no problem. She couldn't even catch those guys because they are known for running the kitchen. Well, I got distracted by one my guys downstairs and went to give him a kiss. Next thing you know, I forgot about Miss Furbie upstairs. I went in and started playing with the guys. The next thing I heard was the birds fussing.Nothing unusual until my husband said you better get up here. He said Miss Furbie had Neeja in her mouth I'm thinking Miss Furbie can't catch her shadow. She could. I saw some feathers. She did not hurt the bird. Neeja fussed me out. But, sometimes, I make a mistake. I don't underestimate the ability of any ferret sick or not. That may have been her learning mistake. If she cares for animals and she has never owned a ferret she is in the learning process. You may find everything will work its way out or not. Follow your heart. You are the only one who actually knows this person and the conditions of the ferret far more than what actual words can tell you. Benita and the Critters [Posted in FML issue 3675]