Hi all, Please don't look at my hesitation to reply as avoidance or evasion. More caution than anything else. As Marlene points out this is occurs more than most know and the outcome could be quite different than both our experiences. I was lucky to have been blessed with one of the girls from the Richmond rescue from one of those research "dumps" back in '04. "Charlotte" has been such a special, darling little girl. One of those "she picked me" kind of things. While looking into their cage, having 18 little beady little eyes staring back at me I wondered out loud, "How am I going to decide on just one?". So I asked the group, "Who wants to come out to meet me?", and one little dark flash sparked out of the "herd", down the ramps to the bottom door. I opened the door & she leapt into my waiting hands. "OH, How sweet!" I exclaimed and held her close to me for a snuggle. Then it happened... CHOMP.... right on the tip of my nose. Ah, love at first bite! Yep. She chose me. Robyn was kind enough to answer the initial post. I emailed Missy directly and explained the process to her personally because of not wanting to get the good doc in deep doo-doo. These guys aren't used for "research" per say. They are, as Robyn said, used to teach Veterinarian students how to humanly handle & treat ferrets in their future practices. Those of us who have searched for a ferret knowledgeable Veterinarian or deal with after hours emergency care know how vital this is. I read weekly about folks dealing with their frustration in trying to find any in their area, some having to drive several hours one way to be seen by one. This program not only helps the students learn about our beloved ferrets, but for several instills a deep admiration for them and launches them into the realm of "ferret lover". Why would the doc be in jeopardy? The final thing the students learn is how to neuter the boys (they always get the retiring hobs) and while still under anesthesia, well lets just say they are not supposed to not wake up. Being the kind of person this Vet is, that doesn't happen. We've been working them thru our shelter for four years now. Biters, yes. Shy, yes. Retrainable, oh yes! Rehomeable, definitely. Best of all, alive & well! Nothing dastardly going on. Debbie [Posted in FML 6185]