I have to say I think Barb has very eloquently stated what every ferret (dog, cat, reptile, etc.) shelter person feels deep down! Lack of commitment plays a big part in giving up any pet to a shelter! We have created a disposable society. It's easier to just get rid of the problem than to fix it. We also have had a very busy "dump" season this year. Just this week we have taken in 3 ferrets (average age of 3 years old) from 2 couples that are having a baby and can no longer keep their ferrets. Their reason, one couple stated they need the extra bedroom for their baby and thus the ferret has to go. The other couple couldn't bear the thought of giving up their babies so they had his mother bring the 2 ferrets out to us. The wife is a Vet Tech which makes it even harder to not want to scream "Hey, what are you going to do when your baby becomes too much for you to take care of! Dump it at a shelter?" Like Cathy from Zoo's Sanctuary wrote about the 10 year-old boy, I think we need to hone in on the youngsters. Maybe we can turn things around one child at a time by teaching them to respect animals and learn what commitment really means. Each year during "dump season" I wonder what we can do to stop the flood of incoming ferrets. I guess the old saying "with age comes wisdom" I need a little help - I've got the age, where's the wisdom? One would think after 20 years sheltering ferrets, I would find the answer! Ferret hugs, Kathy Fritz, Executive Director Ferret Nook Shelter/Adoption Center Cambridge, WI 53523 (608) 423-3315 <http://www.ferretnook.org> <http://www.kritterkoncepts.net> [Posted in FML 5726]