Hi Ulrike: >I'm not sure about ferrets feeling emotions, thinking and >contemplating like people do, at least not to the extent you describe. >I've had quite a few rescues come in, some came from bad homes, others >from good homes. None became sick because they left their home. >Ferrets are usually excited about new surroundings and people. I think >he was very sick, maybe his owners knew and didn't want any vet bills >and gave the ferrets up instead. After having done much reading on the subject of animal emotions, I've come to feel that they certainly do not have the range of emotions humans have - though do believe they are capable of some thought and varying degrees of contemplation of action. Just wish they also showed any ability to determine consequences! LOL But that is still all an area under investigation by far brighter minds than mine. :) I do, however, believe ferrets can and do become ill from a change in environment. I have seen it occur on all too many occasions over the past 20 years. Admittedly, it mostly occurs with older animals - especially those who may have lived a significant time as an only ferret. I have also seen it with younger animals that have bounced just a bit too much between households over a brief period of time. Again, circumstances and conditions can vary. And yes, initially ferrets appear to be very excited in a new environment. That is their nature to explore thoroughly. And over time I've come to believe it is less the emotion of "excitement" as one of a hectic need to gather information about their new surroundings as quickly as possible. Bringing any animal into a shelter environment produces stress. (Stress of course, can be both good and bad), but if there is any underlying medical condition, just as in humans, stress can exasperate the condition. With a change in water, and oftentimes food, other animals to cope with; and different "habits" thrown into the mix, it can be an extremely difficult combination on a animal. I honestly feel that it is to ferret's detriment too often that they appear to enjoy new environments so much. It is far to easy to assume all is well and not give them the attention needed in those first few days and couple of weeks. I have seen ill animals arrive for me to "ferret sit" all of a sudden act like nothing is wrong with them and show higher levels of energy to the delight of their owner who is going away. In several hours to a few days they are back to their more normal and "sickly" ways. We need to remember that ferrets, while a predator, are also a prey animal. Prey animals generally must be adept at masking illness by feigning alertness under new or discomforting conditions - all the less likely to appear like lunch to something higher on the food chain. This "shelter shock/environmental change" factor is one of the reasons why we are very reluctant to move a ferret into a new home too quickly irrespective of quarantines or personality assessments. We would far rather the ferret move from the former owner to the new home than have a short stop over at our shelter. Your experiences may have varied - but that's been ours. Ann Gruden Ferret Association of CT [Posted in FML 5508]