Good Morning, The essence of my previous posting was that I believe in people far more than I would ever trust any agency of local, state, and federal government. I work with these agencies on a regular basis and have witnessed first-hand their ultimate power and the damage left in their wake. You know the saying, "I'm from the government and I am here to help you." Yeah, ask the folks here in this area about how much FEMA "helped" them following Katrina and Rita.....they'll tell you. Next time, many if not all, of these people will probably say, thanks but no thanks. I was not arguing the law in NJ as it applies to ferrets or ownership of any animal. My disagreement was in lack of judgement. I believe that a trigger was pulled way before facts were known and quite simply someone may have overreacted. Nothing good can be gained from acting on sheer rumor. You must uncover the facts for yourself in whatever fashion is required. I use "spies" and this works very well for me. Other people use other methods but the result is the same, before any enforcement agency is called, every possible solution is exhausted, leaving no choice in order to ensure the safety of the ferret(s) involved. Some situations require immediate response as in the case of the guys feeding the ferrets to the snakes. I confronted the guy in question, taped the conversation which Tennessee law allows me to do, he admitted to planning the match, and then I called the police. Sometimes people just don't realize that they are not taking care of their ferret(s) properly or what they are doing or not doing is wrong and harms the ferret(s). Maybe its a money issue. Again, ignorance is bliss but it can be deadly. Sometimes working with people results in health, happy ferret(s) and a much more ferret-wise mom and dad. And, sometimes people just don't want to do the right thing or have cruel intentions. But if working with people to correct the situation does not work, then you must make appropriate choices - but you always give them what I call, a choice of last resort. Let them tell me, no they won't cooperate and do what is right and I will then tell them, you leave me no choice but to contact AC or whatever. As is the case with the petting zoo business. She gave me no choice and now I have filed a formal complaint with the USDA, the MS Health Department, and with the local AC. At this point, I have lost control over the situation and verily well understand the ramifications of my decision to bring in these agencies. Up to 15 little lives are at stake here and even though all know that I will be more than happy to receive the ferrets should they be seized, I have absolutely no say-so in the future of those ferrets now. And, I don't like that feeling....not at all. I gather the facts, approach the owner and offer assistance, and only as a last resort or if I fear the ferret(s) is in immediate danger do I contact any agency or enforcement authority. Once a governmental entity enters into the equation, you loose control of the situation all together and everyone is now bound by that agencies findings, their rules, and, ultimately, you must accept whatever resolution might follow. You better know what you are doing before any entity gets involved because once they take control, nothing will stop them short of a court order of injunction or an order of estoppel. That is why I will always choose to see if I can resolve the problem without "help." I agree, some people are not reasonable and nefarious and simply refuse to do what is right and in those cases, you are left with no choice but to bring in enforcement agencies. But there are always consequences for doing this, always. And, perhaps, not the end result you had hoped for. No, you did not mention euthanasia, seizure, or that because of your actions, she would be "in trouble." But you do not know what NJFGW will do either! No you don't. You say you do...but you don't...and you now have no opportunity to help "her" or help the ferrets in "her" care because you involved the NJFGW and they now run the show and you did all of this before you knew all of the facts. I don't have to know the laws in your state to fully understand how these agencies work. It is not always a matter of law that is the paramount issue of all situations, but it is always what is in the best interest of the ferrets and maybe intervention will not be in the best interest of the ferrets. Maybe this lady just moved there, maybe she is ignorant of the law, maybe she is short on cash .... whatever the reason, just perhaps this should have been disclosed before NJFGW was called. Just perhaps.... A little knowledge is dangerous... We always prepare our clients for all outcomes. You can never know how a judge or administrative agency will rule. No matter what the law or the statute says or what the sentencing guidelines call for ... or what the regs mandate, you just never, ever know what the outcome will be in court or at any hearing. Administrative authorities and judges wield ultimate power. Just ask the people in California if their state government is reasonable and can be trusted Go ahead, ask them! You cannot talk with these people...I have tried. You cannot reason with fools and idiots. Nothing makes sense and reason means nothing to them....all they understand is their regs or what they perceive their mandates to be and act on it. Good Lord! You cannot even get two people to agree on the same issue in that agency. And, it is damn near impossible for government to change ... or even admit they are wrong or even if they are doing it wrong. I do not trust government .. my belief still lies within people's hearts. Well, most of the time. Respectfully submitted, Maren E. Doshier Founder/President Raisins From Heaven Ferret Rescue & Sanctuary Hernando, MS [Posted in FML 6472]