A public THANK YOU to Troy Lynn Eckart for her Ferrets.com article about FACT! You can read it at this link: <http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/ferrets-magazine/shelter-rescue/ferret-association-of-connecticut-inc-0911.aspx> Sorry Troy, just saw it today, even though it was published the 1st of November! You did a super job of capturing the essence of FACT. BUT, just for the record, we really work very hard NOT to let Vanessa have a life. She complains, but we just put her back in her cage. LOL BTW, for those who do not know us, FACT has an open shelter environment. We do NOT use cages, other than to quarantine or to restrict movement post op. We are fortunate to have 2 secure areas in (now) Vanessa's home to house ferrets in groups. The "general" (read adoptable, younger ferrets), are housed in one room in the shelter which is on the first floor of Vanessa's 2 family house. That is also FACT's headquarters. The elderly, as well as foster candidates and Vanessa's personal ferrets, live in a very sunny room on the second floor where they can receive focused attention. As this room is a bit smaller, they get daily, extended romp/stomps when the barrier is removed to the expansive living room. FACT works very hard to integrate ferrets with their own kind even those who are unaccustomed to being with ferrets. It can be a bit testy, as it can be stressful for older ferrets that have been "singles" for nearly all of their lives. We keep them on "watch" to ensure they do not overly stress. Like many other shelters, we find that the young can be pretty adaptable given a bit of time (and, sometimes, earplugs for the humans!); and a surprising number of "oldies" welcome the chance to be with others of their own kind when they are given a few days to adjust. For the few who can't cope, we move them quickly into an appropriate foster environment. Again, Troy, thank you for opening a door into FACT and our over 18 years of service to ferrets! Ann Gruden Ferret Association of CT, Inc. [Posted in FML 6527]