I was indeed bitten by a Di Bachman ferret. The ferret was disqualified and I spoke to her afterwords about possible socialilization issues with her ferrets. I was told that he was just a nippy kit and that she was working with him. I to ok that explanation at face value. I saw no other reason at that time to read further into the situation. It's very hard to look at a ferret and get an impression that it might possibly be in a bad situation. 99% of all ferrets coming up to be judged are at there best. No dirt, no long nails, no nothing. Even then if you come across a ferret with some dirt or anything else of that nature it's almost impossible to tell why it is like that. It could have simply been blowing it's coat, coming in or out of season, slept in a litter box on the trip, ect... Now that I have seen both sides I have to say Di Bachman only showed her absolute best ferrets. Which leads me to believe the ferrets in the garage are not her showers and breeders. Atleast not the ones she wanted. For those of you who wondered about muscle mass and other catagories. There are many types of shows and this show for instance was a "fun" show. It is a show designed to let some things slide, such as moderate muscle mass. At these fun shows the majority of the ferrets being being judged are alters. Little muscle mass to begin with. So fators such as those really don't get equaled into the equasion. At these shows only recently have a surge of breeder ferrets showed up. Partly because there is no battle for for points of breeder cups or anything like that. It is where many showers get a start before moving on to AFA shows. Ahhhhhhh. Di Bachman, where to begin on this subject. I am going to voice a few opinions here and please take them as opinions and not fact. I am fully aware of her past history of dumping the needy and unwanted "not good enough to show or breed" ferrets. I do think she has ferrets that are her "prime" breeders and showers. It would just play along with her MO. As far as checking out rescues and the people behind them. All I can say is give them a call ask for references and if at all possible visit the shelter itself. If you still feel uncomfortable donating remember you are not obligated to in the first place. Plain and simple. I personally donate material goods to various shelters all the time. I however have a diffrent process when donating money. I donate directly to the vets office that has that particular shelter as a client. That way I know 100% where and what my money is going to. Thats my personal method and I am most comfortable operating that way. I have not met Kim and Barb but I hear Barb runs a good shelter. I just pray that those ferrets find the love and good home they deserve. [FD] [Posted in FML issue 4230]