All of my ferrets except one were unwanted- most past ones and my current oldest came from a shelter. I work at Petco, so my current ferrets are mostly ones people dump in the store for various reasons. I also take the ones we list as unsellable for whatever reason- sick, biter.... otherwise they would be shipped back to Marshall's for euthanization, so they would be replaced for Petco ( if they made the trip). I have only bought one-he was sick to begin with, and so I babied him in the store, and he got well but began screaming for me whenever he saw me, and I spent hours carrying him around in my shirt. I couldn't let him be sold to fate- and I will never regret buying him- he is quite possibly the world's perfect ferret, next to my dear Maru, who resides at the Rainbow Bridge. On a different note, deepest condolences to Wolfy, Sean, and family.. I know this loss will echo for many years, I only hope Sean is able to share another special bond at some point in the future. He is a very special child and all that love can be met with another needy, loving soul, when and if he is able. Our thoughts are with them this holiday. [Posted in FML issue 5098]