Hey, Well as you know, I am moving to Massachussetts in a few months. I am currently trying to figure out the pet situation. I cannot imagine 10 months without an animal. It would probably kill me. LOL. Here's the situation. I cannot take my dogs, cats, or ducks with me. That leaves my ferrets. I also brought home a stray cat the other day, that I may end up keeping (knowing whether I can do that or not is still days if not weeks away.) I am also considering a snake. I plan on incorporating animals as a major part of my photography, which is one reason why I would like to have the ferrets, cat, and snake. They also provide stress relief, comfort, and a way to trade for help or model time with other students (aka I let you photo my cat if I can photo your prop) There are also benefits to having them, as they make a house feel more like a home and more secure. Especially a cat, as they can greet you at the door. Now a cat and a snake are not high maintenance. A snake is low maintenance. A cat is medium. Ferrets are high. I know I will be incredibly busy. This is not such a big deal with a cat and a snake. But, then there's the ferrets. I am feeling bad right now because they are not getting as much time with me as they should be. I was hoping that would change once I moved because they could be roamed in my bedroom and I would be there in the morning and at night some to play with them and such. But I am having concerns about this. I want to take them with me and be able to do more with them, have them out more than I do now, but I am afraid that I will be too busy, especially during the 3rd part of my program. I want to do the right thing for my fuzzies, but I don't know what it is! I feel rather helpless because there is no way I can know how much time I will have or what I will be able to do. I don't want to give them up because I would feel like a failure and I love ferrets and always wanted them, and giving them up would break my heart. I want to have them with me. But I have to consider the fact that I might not be able to. I would feel horrible having to sit them with someone for 10 months. That's so long! And I so want to be able to use them in my photography. I also wouldn't be able to pay the person, other than some money for food and litter. And what happens if a vet bill comes up? My savings are small now, as well as my dads, because of college. I just don't know. I feel so horrible because I don't know what to do. I know some of you may say, well just don't keep the cat or get the snake, but that does not fix any of the problems. Having the cat and snake does not add to the problem, nor does not having them eliminate any of it. They are almost a non issue in this. The ferrets are still high maintenance. Also, finding housing may be trouble. I just want to do the right thing for my fuzzies. I don't want to burden myself, a shelter, or a family. yea. Thanks for listening to this meandering, somewhat dismayed post. If you have any ideas I am welcome to them. I know some of you may think, why did you get ferrets when you were going to go away to college. Well, I didn't. I got ferrets when I was most likely either not going to college, or going to go to a local college and living at home. It was totally unforseen that I would move out of state for almost a year. You can't plan for everything life throws. I just feel caught between two things. Can anyone help? Thanks all - Jules [Posted in FML issue 4880]