This post is long but I can see a few sides here and a possible solution. I hate to see people selling their unwanted ferrets. I think it's good that they are looking on the fml for a ferret knowledgeable and loving home. However, I don't think someone who is willing to give a ferret a good second home should have to pay the person who wants to give it up. If the original owner wants to get rid of the pet and the responsibility, then their entire objective should just be to find a good home for the pet. The cost they paid in getting the ferret and supplies are an expense that they alone should be responsible for. It was their mistake, they should be financially responsible for it. It is this cost that will hopefully help teach the person getting rid of the ferret a bit about responsibility. Maybe they'll think a bit more of all the responsibilites before getting another pet. I'm worried that uncaring people would rather dump or simply neglect an unwanted ferret before continuing to pay for another to care it. That is the worse case scenerio, in which it's the ferret that pays the price! There is also the advice that pets shouldn't be given free. Hoarders, lab uses, another irresponsible home, etc...... are some of the reasons many people advise not to advertise free pets. Possible compromise: If a ferret is unwanted please find the best home for it. Negotiate a fair price with the new owners. Have that price be paid to an animal shelter of the new owner's choosing. This way the ferret is being responsibly paid for, but the money is going to help others caring for animals rather than to the pockets of the person getting rid of the pet. Maybe this will also help offset some of the costs for people who don't find homes and dump their pets at shelters. Of couse if the old owner is willing to financially support the ferret he/she brings to a shelter than dooks to them! Risa [Posted in FML issue 3879]