SECOND STEP: Read these resources: http://www.ferretcentral.org especially the housing, health, and behavioral information _Ferrets for Dummies_ even those of us who have had ferret for over 20 years use this book and http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/1083/probintro.html to help avoid creating a problem ferret THIRD STEP: After you have saved for everything you need -- according to reputable resources like those above NOT according to a petstore in more cases -- begin your saving account for ferret health. If you provide at least 14 hours of complete darkness in each 24 hour period; don't give starch (cereal) and sweet treats; don't give your ferret dangerous things like latex, rubber or rawhide; ferret-proof carefully; use a vet provided heartworm preventative if you are in a heartworm endemic area, provide a lot of active playtime to keep the ferret lean and muscular enough; and get all the kit vaccinations and kit vet exams with proper timing you can then save about $4 a week toward ferret medical care for standard ferret health problems. Using the precautions mentioned that should help for many ferrets stave off the typical health problems for long enough that you should be able to afford future surgery and medications in many parts of the nation for the most common health concerns encountered. (You may need to do extra chores for the funds but they are essential and it never hurts to see the rewards that hard work and savings bring.) (Oh, and remember the annual exams and shots later in life.) ---- Taurine: it is known that without enough taurine ferrets can develop eye problems, and it is suspected that without enough taurine they might develop heart problems. These days you almost never hear of a taurine in ferrets because ferret and cat foods contain it. It was heard of more back when some people fed dog food as an actual food rather than as a rare treat. For ferrets it is one of the essential amino acids because their own bodies can not create it so they must get it from diet. For those who do not know, amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. [Posted in FML issue 4630]