No, we've had ones from there (MF) with personalities across the board, ditto other breeders of a range of sizes. Sometimes I think that some individuals are just more shy or more afraid, as in humans, but sometimes I think it depends much more on how they are treated at the distribution centers and the stores. We do keep a closer eye on ones you are frightened easily (ditto ones who bite, which can be related) in case there is a hidden medical problem or dental problem as the cause. We had one like your little one and although it took time she became one of the most trusting of all of our's though she always scared more easily than others. When she was terminally ill she wouldn't let me put her down during her last 12 or more hours, that is how close she became. We were in constant physical contact during that time. I completely adored her and she returned that even more. Ferrets can create so much heartache because they are worth it! It's just because they create so much love. We've had ferrets in our family for 23 years this month and have not considered not having them. Are there people who stop or stop for a while? Yes. The most common scenario in that case seems to be people who get caught up in ferret math early on: people who have more than three in their first five years with ferrets. They often wind up not having the savings they need for medical care (which around here seems to be average about $5,000 over a lifetime now, so maybe about $3,000 over a lifetime in cheaper areas), and they tend to have a lot of ferrets in the same age bracket, so when the ferret hit late middle age at 5 years or early old age at 6 years they suddenly have a lot of sick ferrets to care for at once, all the expense hitting at the same time, and all the heartbreak of seeing their entire four footed family sick or dying all around the same time. The sheer concentration of hardship makes it too painful. Are there other things which can cause a lot of illnesses at once? Sure: ECE, ADV, the unusual form of lymphoma which clumps (We've had that happen twice in our family.), or infections can all do that, but getting a lot of ferrets around the same age is something which should only be done by people who know what the heck they are doing and getting themselves in for, because it is the mark of people who didn't learn first and are setting themselves up for trouble. (Anyone here in that category should be careful to learn about health problems beforehand and to save diligently because the veterinary insurance does NOT cut it since it doesn't cover the most common expensive health problems.) Honestly, for the most part (Individuals vary.) I have NEVER run into a species which enjoys life as fully as ferrets do. From some work of others it sounds like some other mustelids can be the same way, esp. otters and martins, but for someone in a family who remind people each day that everyday life if full of joy there is nothing like a ferret. BTW, we have a sick one now who is an incredible survivor, Sherman. Shermie is getting 24/25 doses of assorted meds in each 24 hour period now (infection worsing long term IBD, and the combo causing such bad reflux and rapid watery runs that he was losing his Addison's meds too fast). The days alternate on three meds, BTW. He is improving vastly (Remember that he almost died more than once before we got to this extreme med combo. ) and yesterday began playing Mr. Sockie Head where he shoves his head into a short sock and walks around blindly doing that heh-heh-heh laugh they make. He also rolled over to beg some nutrient treats. One of his meds we call his "kissy-belly-fix". That is his Carafate suspension. There is a manufacturer's version available from any pharmacy which works marvelously and which they usually don't mind much. He gets it and we hold him for a few seconds, then his ears go up, his eyes get wide and he splats kisses all over us. The comfort it gives by patching GI lesions when needed is marvelous and is really that fast. Shron: If you go to the FML Archives (addy in the header of all FMLs) you can look up health charities/ veterinary donations/etc. and find a number of places to which one can donate to help advance ferret health care. There are ones on ADV and the work in GA (Check for posts from Danee esp. on this work.). Ones on the Morris Animal Foundation. Ones on the very important ferret tissue bank at the AFIP. At Michigan State Matti Kiupel is doing fine work. You'll find others, as well. There is a lot more ferret work being done at many veterinary school universities now. If you don't own a vet text, yet, you'll find that you can also get a feeling for who does such work and where it is being from the references. [Posted in FML issue 4532]