If you want a "new" ferret why not check with a shelter first? Looking only for a young ferret? Sometimes the shelters have young ferrets. Our shelter has a 6 month old female. and 2 one year old males. I am sure others have them too... or could put you on a list or in contact with someone else that may have one. I understand that some people don't want older ferrets but sometimes they are worth looking at. They just might surprise you. It's kinda like the person who only wanted one ferret when they came to the shelter but fell in love with a pair. To this day I don't think she would have had it any other way than with the two that she has. Want a ferret that will snuggle with you? Sometimes the older ferrets are the best. We have a pair of 4 year olds that are just the cutest. Both love to snuggle...but they also love to play. Younger ferrets don't normally snuggle. They just want to go all of the time. A 2 or 3 year old ferret is great too. They normally have been potty trained and they are normally more behaved then a kit. They have just as much energy as a kit too! Some people might have the impression that a ferret at a shelter has something wrong with them. Well, most of the time that isn't correct. We have received several ferrets in just because of a change in life for the owner. There was nothing wrong with the ferret. Right now just about all of the ones in the shelter are great ferrets with no other problems. They get a long with other animals, with people and with other ferrets. They are only at the shelter because the owner just couldn't or didn't want to take care of them anymore. I have heard it said "for the adoption fee I could go and get a new ferret". Not here. Let's see, our adoption fee is $75.00. This is with a vet check, and shots. Plus any surgeries that the ferret had to have. A kit at the store is between $99 - $125. Once you buy the kit you have to get the series of shots plus the vet fee. This price can be anywhere from $40 - $80. (plus private breeders do not normally spay/neuter or descent the ferret) I do understand why some people would rather have a kit. You get to start out "fresh" and teach them from the beginning. I also know that our 6 month old ferret is in the shelter because that is what her owners did, then the found out they didn't know how to train her to stop biting. Some of the private breeders, like West Valley Wuzzles, do go through a screening process just like the shelters do. They care about the ferrets and want to ensure that they don't end up in a shelter. Not all private breeders are like that. My advice would be to start with a shelter in your area. You can check on this link to find one: http://www.geocities.com/ferretlover96/ferrets/SOS-ShelterList.html If the link or email is bad, just email SOS and ask them if they have any information about shelters in your area. If you want to buy a ferret, just know what you are getting into with the cost and the training involved. I believe that all ferrets deserve a wonderful home, whether it is from a shelter, a private breeder or a pet store. Joanne Ferret Corner Shelter www.geocities.com/ferretcorneraz [Posted in FML issue 3978]