I understand that people are very attached to their ferrets (I know I am!!) and that there is a lot we don't understand about ADV. In light of the very limited resources of the ferret shelters, the shortage of available homes, and limited resources of all ferret lovers, I believe that it is important for shelters to euthanize ADV+ ferrets. Part of owning and loving ferrets is working to improve the lives, health, and longevity of ferrets as a species. And allowing healthy ferrets to be exposed to or infected by ADV+ ferrets is not going to help the lives, health, or longevity of ferrets as a species. I have posted before that part of loving ferrets is accepting that they will pass on and continuing to make ferrets a part of our lives, both for our own pleasure and to honor the memories of those that pass on. Because ferrets are so wonderful, so varied in their personalities, such darling, delightful creatures as a species, it is important to work for the survival of their species. Given the proclivity that most ferret owners have for owning many ferrets, and the longevity of the virus, it is vital that we do not allow ADV to spread. This is a virus that has the capability to infect many, many ferrets. The destruction of the American ferret population is not out of the question. I would put it to the ferret community that the effort that ADV+ shelters are expending on caring for ADV+ ferrets could be better put to raising funds for ADV research, raising awareness of ADV, or simply helping with the shelters that are already overflowing with healthy ferrets (like the GFCA that was in yesterday's FML). Of course, i understand that some people have ADV+ personal ferrets and have opened their doors to others who also test positive, which is certainly understandable. But regular shelter operators are so overburdened already, that I just can't understand how they can run 2 parts of a shelter (pos and neg) and really maintain quarrantine -- and think how much more they could do for the ADV negative ferrets if they weren't spending all that time on the positives! And who knows if the quarrantines are even effective? I love my ferrets passionately. I will do all I can to ensure their health. If my ferrets ever test positive for ADV, I will have absolutely no further physical contact with any ferrets other than my own. If I become convinced that this is not enough to keep the virus from spreading to other ferrets, then I *will* euthanize them. I will cry, and I will hate doing it, but I will do so. My personal pain will be a testament to my love of the species, and it will be for the good of ferrets everywhere. I love my ferrets. But I love ferrets as a species even more, and I recognize that my love for my personal ferrets is nothing compared to what I feel for them as a whole group, because their individual characteristics,the things that make them lovable to me, are shared by ferrets as a collective group. I hope that this helps some of you to understand why some ferret owners are advocating euthanization of ferrets that are ADV+. We're not evil, uncaring, or mean. We are just more concerned with the survival of the species than with any particular individual. Also donning flame-proof suit :) Melissa [Posted in FML issue 3835]