HI Jen and FML readers, I am not sure why you took some offense to Wolfy's post. the truth is neural crest disorders ( your deaf ferret has those markings from your post.."my deaf ferret isn't a panda or a blaze, she has some grey on her head, but no real white stripe on her head, most of it is white, but she's got some very light grey parts on her head. .." Jen states " People don't abuse deaf ferrets because they're deaf. " NOt KNOWINGLY they don"t but unknowingly they MAY! We have SEVERAL BAD BITER FERRETS HERE NOW -- who WERE ABUSED by Pet SHOP employees ( several different stores in several different states) s no less. ASK ANYONE who has met Jerimiah.. HE has been in SEVERAL shelters before FerretWise-- and he now has sanctuary here-- but anyone who picks him up other than myself GETS BITTEN. HE has a fear of people after being smacked and smacked and smacked because he nipped. Try explaining to him that was forgiveable becasue the people did not know he could not hear. ANd try explaining to the lawyers and insurance company if you adopt one of these ferrets out that you, ( either rescuer or organization representattive) are not to be held responsible for adopting a ferret out with a known behavior problem. Many folks could or would lose their livelihood over this. This is WHY IN SOME CASES sanctuary is needed for these deficient ferrets. Ozzie will be one. The fact is most people who buy a ferret in a pet store are relatively new to ferrets-- otherwise they would be checking out other options like shelters or breeders. These first time owners do NOT usually have the education that any of the list readers have... because this IS a new pet. Thus it leaves a hearing deficient ferret AT RISK for abusive situations. That is all plain and simple. LET ME CLARIFY the original post on Ozzie who will be arriving tomorrow at our shelter as it seems the discussion has travelled a bit off center. Ozzie was one of a small group of Marshall Farm ferrets which arrived at a NH petco store. It is reported that several of the store employees had difficulty handling him, he bit and was deemed a "BAD" ferret at the store. THUS entered the person who purchased him. She acknowledged that she was willing to work with Ozzie and had a number of ferrets already and offered to purchase him. The manager sold him at a special price - he reduced the cot to $75.00 because she was willing to purchase him. NOW this woman has several YOUNG children. Ozzie intimidated one from the first bite. Determined not to give up she kept him and tried to work with him. He continued to bite the child, drawing blood, leaving marks & bruises... WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? It IS A FEDERAL LAW for school personnel to make reports to officials when harmful is suspected of a child - this is the basis of CHILD PROTECTION LAWS. WE ARE ALL REASONABLE -- or should be,. When the child arrived on several occasions at school after being bitten- the school personell were BOUND BY LAW to report the probable neglect to the child. THUS Ozziie NOW HAS a VERY BIG Problem. [Posted in FML issue 4885]