I just sat down and real my local newspaper and became very upset. An article in the newspaper was titled "Honestly, find the best pet for your family" It was a very interesting article, but there was one paragraph that is SO misleading for possible ferret owners! It stated "Ferrets, domestic rabbits and even rodents can also fit well into family life, and most require less intense care than cats and dogs." Maybe I'm wrong, but i don't beleive ferrets are at all less intense care than cats and dogs. They need way more intense care and time! I am so afraid a prospective ferret owner may not realize the time and money needed to have a ferret for a pet after reading this. maybe this journalist thinks you just keep ferrets in a cage all day and leave food in there and look in every once in a while to coo and talk sweet to it. Maybe they only have to pet it once in awhile! I'm afraid of the unnecessary stress that will be put on the new owner and his/her ferret. All the additional ferrets that will be purchased and then left to the ASPCA or shelter (we don't have many, if any, local ferret shelter in this area). I just emailed the newspaper to find out how to get in touch with her and have her print a correction. The journalist conferred with our local SPCA and a local veternarian about how to find the proper pet for your child. The journalist was looking for a pet for herself and family ( which includes 2 autistic children). A ferret may be excellent for her family but she should be properly educated about ferrets and other pets before buying or adopting. Meanwhile, whileshe isn't properly educated, she is misleading many others! I do hope I hear back from this journalist! I feel it's important that this be set straight! I'm just so upset to see that stuff to be printed in a newspaper!!!!! [Posted in FML 5670]