You want an honest answer? YES it is really that bad, ferrets are an exotic creature with a lot of special housing, medical and diet needs, they have a very short life span, again honestly 5 to 7 years although some live to 10 or 11 I wouldn't really call it living, they are very vulnerable to many things disease and accident related and are not much liked by a large chunk of the human population of the planet and in some countries and states are considered pests and a threat to local ecology. But... They are also adorable, highly intelligent, comedic and loving, like a dog they can be trained to walk on a leash, like a cat they can be trained to use a litter box, and like a smaller pet, when being a royal pain in the butt, they can be placed safely in their (often spacious) cages. For some of us this is enough, If you have doubts DO NOT GET A FERRET! The shelters are full enough as it is. Mia Emery And the fur crew, (all at the Rainbow Bridge) [Posted in FML issue 4530]