[inclusions from my original article deleted] I hope this gets through, as I do not always have good luck answering such postings. I have had a male albino ferret (Nick) for about three years. He has NEVER been in a cage, and I can not imagine ever having a ferret and keeping him/her in a cage. We are very close and he goes most places wth me. He is paper-trained most of the time. He will have an accident when he is too far from his papers. They have tiny systems, and when they have to go, they have to go. Not keeping a ferret in a cage requires more time and patience when they are young, but it is worht the extra effort by the time they have matured. Nick is a faithful compnion and will follow me most everywhere in my house. When I shower, he waits by the tub. When I practice (music), he lies at the base of my stand. By never being in a cage, (one must have patience, its like having a very active 2 year old somtimes)-- the animal, who is smarter than any dog or cat-- has become very social. He has NEVER been struck. I have used voice commands with im since I got him at the age of 6 weeks. He has never bitten anyone, although he sometimes plays a bit rough. I think a cage causes a ferret to become agressive. Imagine keeping a dog in a cage its whole life. Try to keep yours out as much as possible. Good luck and regards alan gardiner [We try as much as possible to let them out of their cages, but only while supervised. We felt that even after ferret proofing the rooms we let them run around in, there are too many dangers for them. That, and of course since their not perfectly litter trained.] [Posted in FML 0001]