If the breeder/dealer is claiming to be a fur/food operation only in order to skirt the USDA APHIS regs concerning breeding ferrets then someone needs to document everyone who has purchased ferrets there as pets to show he is deriving a larger portion of income selling ferrets as pets as opposed to fur or food -( and really mink aside, what are the markets for ferrets as food/fur?- anyone find that out?) ferrets are considered exotic as far as the usda regs- ( i know - i have to pay a certain amt for our license based upon how many exotics we have & the 17 ferrets count) so sales/breeding for pets is licensed - if they are selling ferrets as pets then they have to be licensed - if they have been operating without a license then they can be closed for that- it would be like al capone going to jail for tax evasion rather than graft the main crime- but whatever works ! sadly the minimum care required by law even by aphis/usda is far below what any loving ferret owner would consider humane- so again- people need to have a coordinated effort ( sounds like MI is trying to do that) - document the conditions- by photo ( camera phone anyone? discretely take pics while posing as prospective buyer?) and by signed statements of observations - compile these & form a standard cover letter stating the concerns and the desired outcomes- close the operation down? place the ferrets? restitution for rescuers' costs? immediate confiscation of animals? etc- no-one wants to recieve a 'wah wah letter'- 'oh my whatever shall we do' sort of thing- they dont know what to do either! you will get far greater response from officials at every level if you outline what you want from them- then send these items in a nicely presented official looking packet( signed by every organization you can get to agree, for clout refer as to the national concern being expressed) : aphis, state, local and national humane societies, aspcas, news organizations- papers, tv, radio, cnn; state and local representatives & senators, other officials such as mayor, county board members, governor, animal control officials- state, county, municipal as well- and local veterinarians along with the state veterinarian organization - someone will act appropriately on the information at some level- then it will snowball- it will happen if everyone stays focused and organized!! beth www.crittercamp.biz [Posted in FML 5527]