First, as BIG stated, I am not "keeping a secret" of where to get thru the checkpoints. My advice to anyone approaching me and wanting to take a ferret into California would be DON'T DO IT......period. IF they decide to do it, then it will be up to them to find the readily available information on the internet.....do you really think it's my 'secret'??? I have NEVER taken my ferrets across into California AT ANY TIME - EVER. So, your blabbing publicly doesn't affect MY ferrets anyway. If you want to gamble with your ferrets, do it; but don't *assume* that I gamble with mine. None of the "facts" you list are going to change my mind. You should check those so-called "facts" too! You are putting little lives at stake with your misinformation. Upon reading your post, I feel like I'm wasting my breath! You go right ahead and broadcast the information - it hurts the innocent ferrets that get confiscated. If that doesn't bother you, fine with me. If you HAVE ferrets in California and keep taking thru checkpoints, you're rolling the dice every time you do.Leave them at home where they are safer! Don't tell me in one breath how much you love your ferrets, then say that you continually take them safely across the borders. I HAVE SEEN ferrets that were 'rescued' from the border checkpoint - they HAD 'real homes' at one time. And they got CONFISCATED AT THE BORDER!! Their homes gone forever. Here is contact information for a lady who attempts to keep folks lined up to rescue ferrets from the border stations in this part of the state. MAYBE you will believe her, because you're not even hearing me: Hildy Langeweis [log in to unmask] . One person who *was* "rescuing" ferrets from the border station several years ago and keeping huge, feces-filled cages full of ferrets she was collecting from there in filthy conditions, which I reported to the Humane Society and to Hildy - they were ultimately removed. They were border rescues FROM THE BORDER CHECKPOINT. Don't tell me to "fear not",Pam, I have seen real "fear" in their sad little eyes. Trust me, YOU need to FEAR for them! We're lucky here at our local pet store IF the animals in the store get food and water in the bowls daily. The pet shop here gets $199 out of a ferret each and every time he passes thru. They hope you DO get caught - free inventory for them! All they have to do is go pick it up. I've talked to the store owner. He's a real ass. His words : "I'm a merchandiser, not a nursemaid". Tell ya what, here's the name of the pet shop, you call him! I've gone round and round with him about the inadequate BASIC care while the animals are in the store........if you think he wants to hear your 'facts', call him! Pets Plus Superstore (928)726-2880 (owner: Scott Stanhope) Don't expect any sympathy from him for your plight. He makes money on every ferret that is brought back to his store to re-sell because it was confiscated at the border. He's a 'lovely person' <choke choke>. jacquie, kylie & gilbert [Posted in FML issue 4572]