I think if you're willing to take in a rescued ferret or two, you have to accept that the first thing you're going to do, especially in the absence of reliable vet records, is to take the new fuzzies to the Vet right away. You have them vaccinated, if needed, and ADV tested also. It's the cost of rescuing, and necessary to protect your existing fuzzies and the new addition(s). Isolate new fuzzies until they've been ADV tested, unless you are given records for a recent negative ADV test on the ferret. My vet has investigated the two different ADV tests and contacted both companies; he spoke to the Vet who invented the oral swab test. My vet believes that, done well, the oral test is as accurate as the blood test. The oral test only takes 20 minutes. I saw a Vet Tech take the swabs and he was very thorough. I'm sure the skill involved with sample-taking is significant in getting an accurate test. It was very helpful to get a fast answer on the crucial ADV test, so I could avoid exposing my existing ferrets if the new one tested positive. I was thrilled with the negative result on both my new boys. Pick up the rescue ferret(s) and go straight to the vet if you can, particularly if you are unable to obtain Vet records on a new fuzzy. Of course, often, people will not reveal the absence of Vet records until the last moment. My recent "adoptees" came from a woman who didn't tell me they had not been vaccinated and had never been to a Vet, UNTIL she was physically at my house with the ferrets, even though I had asked her twice on the phone, and once in the faxed note I sent with a map to my house. I asked her to get a copy of the Vet records, or have her Vet send them directly to my Vet (and sent her my Vet's address, phone & fax). I had even called my Vet & told them to expect the records. So, if you accept a rescue or "adoptee," be prepared to have them ADV tested & brought up-to-date on vaccinations. In my case, I told the woman I couldn't pay her for the ferrets, but I could give them a good home. I knew I'd have to take them to the Vet right away, no matter what, so I couldn't pay her for them AND do Vet bills right away. I had offered to take them if she was unable to sell them, after I saw her ad to sell them for $200 run in the paper for 10 days. She kept my number & called me back two months later to see if I'd still take them. That's how Willow and Bailey came to join our business. Willow and Bailey are quite happy. They've put on weight, and learned to dook and wrestle and play chase. Cocoa has come in to his own as our Benevolent Alpha. Sugar and Butter are thrilled to have more play and sleep-mates. It's a happy family business of ferrets. Another happy rescue story. Cindy O. & the snorklin' 5, passed out in their room [Posted in FML issue 4295]