Hi all!!! I too agree that NO ONE has the right to judge someone on their choice of purchase vs. adoption. Before I knew about ferrets, and the FML - I purchased two from a pet store. The same pet store that now contacts me regularly, if they have a surrender, and believe me, they get alot of em. I wasn't "ferret smart" in the beginning, and I've relied on advice on this list - to become a good "hooman" for my fuzzies. I wouldn't trade ANY of my "store bought fuzzies for the world! If I hadn't been there, to purchase ferrets - then the Petco where I went, would never know about me - and the surrender's would have been "returned" to Marshalls, and we all know what happens then. I've very successfully adopted out several of Petco's "returns", and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world either. So - I guess what I am saying is - "People, can't we all play nice"? Quit slamming someone for their choice of "where" they get their fuzzies. You never know how helpful to the fuzzies, and maybe future fuzzies, that need homes, YOU may be. Smelly ferrets: This one I absolutely LOVE! We discovered by trial and error - that the absolute BEST way to keep the fuzzy smell down, is to use Head and Shoulders - the "original" scent. We use this on our kidlets, and have found they stay "stink" free, for several days. We wash the bedding at the same time the fuzzies are getting their baths, so that helps even more!! We tried the "cheap" ferret shampoo's from the pet stores, and found they worked for only a couple days. Wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Head and Shoulders also has some moisturizers that keep the fuzzies skin from becoming irritated. On their bedding we use Tide with Bleach - and a healthy shot of Downy, for good measure. And that is how WE roll!!! Kim and Her Army of Idiots. Lord, help me to be grateful for what I have, and not greedy for what I want..... [Posted in FML 6240]