I'm not sure of the circumstances that the little ones were taken to a shelter but if they were a group and split up, they need to be back together. The pain and suffering of separation is deadly on some. That is why I always advise NOT to separate family ferret groups. How do you think they feel when they are taken from their home, lose thier human parents, and then lose their siblings? I do realize it is sometimes difficult to find a home that will adopt 3+ ferrets at one time, but at give it your very best try, and then some. I've offered to take larger groups because I know it can be difficult. Nester, Calvin, and Hobbs came to me from a group of 7. I asked for all 7 but 4 were placed without heeding my request. No money was involved so that wasn't a deciding factor. I don't know what was but I ended up with 2 of the boys being very depressed. Not only was it painful, both emotionally and physically for the boys, it was painful and more work for me (and I'm ferret experienced). Yes, the boys are fine now, but they aren't as happy as they would have been together with their ferret family. I can see it even if someone else doesn't. I've seen the pain and suffering with human/ferret separation as well. And don't think ferrets forget easily, they don't. It took a year for Culla to warm up to me but he never was really affectionate till his final days..... If the previous home is a good one and the little ones will be well taken care of and loved, they NEED to go back to their person. With one sick now THE FERRET FAMILY NEEDS to be together again. If it were me and the above conditions were met, I'd waive any fees and work on getting this family, both human and ferrets, back together again. If the situation is not a good one for them to be returned, then I'd make sure the ferret family was together. The ferret's mental and physical well being is the most important deciding factor, not how much money or pride, or whatever. Don't make these little ones suffer for human ignorance or pride. Hugs to all. tle Troy Lynn Eckart, F.B.S. Ferret Family Services http://www.ferretfamilyservices.org http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~sprite/ffs.html http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/5481/ Please sign up to support our efforts http://www.iGive.com/FFS [Posted in FML issue 3912]