Very tricky situation you are in . . . some thoughts/suggestions ... starting with the low-key and escalating . . . Very low key - Play to the teacher's self interest. Indicate you believe the ferret is ill and may need vet care. a) will the teach cough up the $'s for a vet visit? If not, you will, of course, be happy to do so, but you need to work with the teacher to explain to the students WHY the ferret needs to leave forever. 2 suggestions: a) it;s coming to the need of the school year and 2) the ferret needs to have a forever home. Escalation 1: Suggest a discussion with the principal. The ferret is not doing well in the classroom environment. If you wish to reference an expert, I will be more than happy to provide a letter indicating that the Ferret Assn of CT (for what this is worth) does NOT condone ferrets as a class "project." No more than a class should have a dog or a cat in the classroom. Ferrets are social carnivores that require interaction and constant supervision. A classroom environment provides neither. We do not condone adoption of ferrets by "nature centers" or the like for precisely those reasons. No one keeps cats or dogs in such a place other than incidentally along with a trusted owner/caretaker. Escalation 2: File a complaint with the principal AND/or the Board of Education. You are a ferret owner who clearly is aware of the needs of this pet. Your child is in this class and you are beginning to become upset with the lack of care and appropriate attention being provided this animal. It is NOT a reflection on the teacher ... rather it is a concern for the animal AND your child. An aside here --- one of the key issues pet owners stumble over is emotion. We are emotionally concerned with the needs of our pets and animals. We need to understand that many people do NOT feel that emotional connection - therefore, to pursue an agenda, we need to put ourselves in the other person's shoes and address THEIR interests and concerns. Usually they are not very far apart.... it is an educational issue, rather than an emotional one. Escalation 3: While you indicate inviting in the humane society is not where you want to go, I personally think it is an option. Perhaps of last resort. My personal feeling is that this whole classroom pet thing should go the way of the dinosaur unless it is the teacher's personal pet that is coming and going daily with the teacher. They need to own and consequently be responsible for the animal. Goldfish are one thing... warm blooded mammals are another. Bottom Line: Ownership (and hence responsibility) is the issue. Who owns the ferret? the school? the teacher? or you? Ownership defines responsibilities. Here in CT if you own an animal you are required to provide certain basic requirements. You may need to research your state laws and regs to help your case. What you do have going for you is being an experienced owner. You may need to get the support and observations of your vet (the professional) to augment your observations. Put togehter, I don't think the teacher will have a leg to stand on. ----- Good luck and I do hope others weigh in with other suggestions. There is nothing worse than being on the loosing end of trying to do the best for a pet that has crossed your path. At FACT we've had to return foundlings to people that we had good reason not to trust. But legally, we had no choice. When that happens we have to hold our breath and do our best to positively move the owners to appropriate behavior. BIG - my email is probably overly long! My apologies! Ann Gruden Ferret Assn of CT - FACT [Posted in FML issue 5212]