Lisett (and others who feel Chris is the wrong person for this quest), You said that Chris's quest would be a conflic of intrest because she is a small private breeder as well as a shelter/rescue. I beg to differ and this is why. (These reasons are not just for Petco, but for any pet shop that sells ferrets.) 1) Rescues/shelters that breed on the side EDUCATE prospective adoptors on handling, food, litter, maintanence & medical care of the ferrets. Does Petco do this? Not any I have frequented. They show you suplies they feel you should have to add money to the sale, box up the ferret and send the person on their way. 2) Rescue/shelters that breed on the side usually have adoption contracts that state if for any reason the adoptor can no longer keep/care for the ferret (at any time during it's life), that it MUST be returned to said rescue/shelter that breeds on the side. This is so not to burden other rescues/shelters. Does Petco do this? Not to my knowledge, they have a 7day return policy though from date of sale. 3) Many rescues/shelters that breed on the side have strict adoption guidelines (for their rescues and privately bred ferrets) they follow to ensure that the ferrets will be well cared for. My guidelines have been talking to the possible adoptor for at least a week as well as them purchasing and reading "Ferrets For Dummies", doing a vet check reference, if the possible adoptor rents-I need a letter from the landlord stating a ferret is ok to be living on their property, and I have home visits done to make sure the home is safe for the ferret. Does Petco do this? NO, they are just selling ferrets to make money. They don't give a rats ass about if or not the ferret will be well cared for and happy. 4) Rescues/shelters that breed on the side make sure their ferrets are handled and socialized with people and many times with their own pets. Does Petco do this? Hell NO! If the kits come into the store and they are bitty, they very rarely get handled and when they are, most use gloves. They will only get handled "IF" the person in charge of them at the store owns ferrets and know what the hell they are doing. Usually the person in charge of taking care of the ferrets is a kid and knows very little about ferrets if anything at all. (Many don't even know what a ferret is. I had over heard an employee one day explaining to a customer that a ferret was a species of CAT!, Believe me, I DID correct this person.) 5) Rescues/Shelters that breed on the side will make sure that ferrets in their care are UTD on the canine distemper shots. Does Petco do this? Very rarely. Many of the Petcos will still have ferrets for sale at the age of 6months that will only every have one CDV vaccine and that was givin at time of shipping to the store. I hope you are getting my point here. The only confict of intrest is that Petco is out to make money and will sell a ferret to the 1st person who has money at hand (Unless of course the employee is a real ferret person who cares.). A rescue/shelter who breeds on the side does not. If they feel the person won't be a good owner, guess what, that prespective owner leaves empty handed. If Petco as well as other pet stores were not legaly able to sell ferrets (puppies & kittens too), our shelter system IMO would not be over burdened and there would be less homeless pets. Here's something else to think about...........How many ferret rescues/shelters out there (whether you breed on the side or not) are overwelmed with more privately bred ferrets that ferrets from the ferret mills? To my knowledge there are more MF ferrets in our shelter system than PV ferrets, Tripple F ferrets, etc. and even privately bred ferrets. In 11yrs of rescuing I have only had 2 privately bred ferrets surrendered to me. Debi [Posted in FML 6616]