Troy Lynn made a good point about visiting the shelters before adopting or giving your ferret up. Our house is always open for visitors. And, when we adopt out to people we require them to come to the shelter to interact with the ferrets and see all of the different personalities, sizes and temperament. One of the best things that I can see from a potential adoptee is if they get off of the chair and sit on the floor to interact with the ferrets. When we have people looking to surrender ferrets we ALWAYS invite them to the house so they know where the ferret is going and will see how they will be treated and cared for. We don't hide where we are. Our shelter is small and is family run. The ferrets do not have their own room...but their cages are in the living room right were they always have contact with us. They are out about 5 hours a day and get outside on our porch at least once a week for an hour or so (this is done in the evening because it is hot during the day). We are upfront and honest about the ferrets in our care and screen people very well...in my opinion. We even take the ferret to the new home. Another thing that I saw on the tape was the fact that Jen didn't have any proof of the ferrets that were surrendered or adopted. She had no paperwork. I love paperwork (guess that is why I am in administration!). Each ferret that comes in has their own folder. It contains: A surrender (intake) form filled out (which I put notes on it when I do the inspection of the ferret), all medical records for the ferret, pictures of the ferret, and any other information on the ferret. When the ferret is adopted out, we put in the adoption contract, and then write notes in the file when we do "check-ups" either by phone or in person. We also have folders for our own ferrets with pictures of them in each folder...and updated as needed. I want to say a special thank you to all of the shelters out there. There is a lot of hard work put into everyday and yet you continue to get up and do it again without complaint. Thank you. Joanne Ruffner Ferret Corner Shelter www.geocities.com/ferretcorneraz [Posted in FML issue 3807]