[Forwarded to Lacey when received. Her response follows. BIG] Ferrets in Large Numbers. Ferret Shelter Hyperpopulation >Lacey says she has between 100 and 150 ferrets at the shelter at any >one time. We really cannot afford to lose any shelter right now, >especially one that has such a high ferret count. Dear Lacey, et al, Maintaining a colony of ferrets numbering 100 to 175 (only 150 quoted here) has to be a tremendous lot of work and is very costly. My concern is that the ferrets in this shelter are not being adopted into good homes in a timely manner. Hence the unusually high number of ferrets in this jurisdiction. This is not necessarily the fault of the shelter operator, but it does suggest a major problem. Are some of the sheltered ferrets fertile, pregnant, or having kits more or less regularly? One may assume that in a population of this magnitude, the death rate is above average. At 3 percent, about 5 annually. I am doubtful that I, alone, could maintain a 150 ferret colony and do the best possible for all the ferrets. I could not maintain a colony this size and have any time whatsoever to devote to potential adopters who come to visit. Can you shed some light on what the major problem may be? I am aware of that flooding has wrecked havoc on the shelter, but my questions/concern preempt that tragedy. Thank you, Edward Lipinski, Ferret Endowment for Research, Rehab, Education & Training Society North West Foundation. [Posted in FML 6221]