Regarding ferret breeders in FLA: All but 2 of mine have been rescues. I have been active with 4-5 different ferret rescues over the years. I too was disheartened at the health issues - adrenal, lymphoma, insulinoma, IBD, etc. and decided to look for a good breeder in FLA. One was recommended to me as being well known for her healthy, long lived ferrets but, when I tracked her down, she had retired, due to age and health issues, and she referred me to a lady in Georgia, who had purchased most of her best breeding stock. So, I contacted the Georgia breeder, and travelled there to get a ferret ... the place was immaculate, and her ferret breeders and offspring were plump, shiney and good natured. So I came home with two of hers (guaranteed non MF- full family tree for several generations provided as part of the sale) and with a rescue (kept in a separate building by law up there) that I couldn't leave without. Well, they were just wonderful ... BUT they both developed adrenal problems, one also developed insulinoma, and a mild cardiomyopathy as well. They were unneutered and not descented, and I waited until they were 6 months old to neuter (spay). They were fed Totally ferret (the best available back then), my vet specialized in exotics and was VERY ferret savvy. They lived in air-conditioned comfort, with plenty of darktime (the thing back then). My best buddy also purchased two from the same breeder - between us, we have had almost 30 ferrets. To sum it up: so far, according to my experience, breeding, diet, darkness, vaccinating vs not vaccinating, have had no effect on longitivity or overall health. My longest lived ferret was a backyard rescue, bred by Marshall Farms, who spent his first 4 years in a foul outside pen, eating Alley Cat cat food ... he developed an adrenal tumor at age 8, had the surgery, and lived almost another year - when his cagemate died, he just gave up and followed her .... I currently feed my last two a mixture of Totally Ferret, Wysong for Ferrets, and Pretty Bird Gold, and they both get melatonin implants. The older one, Bailey, had one adrenal tumor removed before I started the implants. The younger one, Harley, was started on melatonin prophylactically ... he is now 4 years old, so far no signs of adrenal .... Bailey is adrenal again, will be on lupron + melatonin until he passes .... As crazy as I am for ferrets, these two will be my last ... I too cannot stand the heartbreak ... I have spent a fortune (literally thousands) on my fuzzies, and never begrudged a cent - just the heartache of losing them all too soon, no matter what ... IF someone comes up with a healthier ferret, I'll be in line ... till then, wishing you and yours good luck and good health .... [Posted in FML 5485]