You're right, Mark, that's extremely negative. Valerie gave up her ferrets on the condition that she would not be at home to care for them. She wanted them cared for properly and so adopted them out. She did not give them up because she was "tired" of them. The condition that (would have) prevented her from caring for them herself has changed. Should she be punished for that? Should she be punished because she *tried* to do what was best for her ferrets? Valerie has every right to ask for those ferrets back - every one of them if she so chooses. She does not have the right to *demand* their return, but asking nicely is well within her rights. The new mom has just as much right to decide for herself whether to keep them or return them. This family already had ferrets - I don't think giving up the newcomers will necessarily be as hard as you seem to think. Look at it from Buckie's point of view if you prefer. Sure, the little guy is going through shelter shock, no question. Should he be forced to continue suffering just to salve your personal sense of justice, when there is a perfectly workable solution available - i.e. returning him to Valerie, his former mom? I myself took in some ferrets not long ago from a girl who was no longer able to keep them due to troubles with her apartment management. We took them in with the understanding that if her situation changed, she would be able to ask for them back. We would not *want* to return them, but we would. Is that concept so hard for you to understand? Is it so different from Valerie's situation? If your only concern is for the ferrets, then as I said, consider Buckie's feelings. He obviously has not adjusted to his new situation - is returning him to the home he loves going to cause twice the shelter shock, or will it cure it? I think we both know the answer to that. roger & the wolverine wannabees missing bear [Posted in FML issue 4071]