It is good to see some fellow carpet shark people out there! A few comments on the legal status of ferrets... The book "Ferrets - A Complete Owner's Manual" by Chuck and Fox Morton (Barrons ISBN 0-8120-2976-3) has a brief section on which states allowed [The above book is by far the best over-all Ferret book we've seen. HIGHLY recommended. The previous "best" was Wendy Winsted's "Ferrets" - TFH (Tropical Fish Hobbyest publisher) I think] ferrets at the time of publication (1985). California seems to be the worst state probably due to much bad press from a few anti ferret fanatics. (the PR person of the San Diego Zoo for example). In the past year some folks in Calif were trying to recruit me away from NJ - I would always answer that I couldn't live there as ferrets we're allowed (this usually produces a pause at the other end of the line). One fellow went so far as to finding out "underground" vets who will treat illegal exotics in Santa Cruz, Palo Alto and Berkeley. (a vet who does this apparently risks his state license). Alaska used to outlaw ferrets (probably for roughing up the grizzly bears :-) ), but this was turned around by a very dedicated ferret person who apparently compiled a list of > 400 scientific references showing that ferrets are really domestic animals. The case ended up in court and the judge ruled in favor of ferrets. Since this is noted in "Ferrets" you may want to get in touch with the authors for info and the Alaskan's name. They live in Willow Hill, PA 17271 and the phone number is 717-349-7818. Someone mentioned nearsightedness. With the exception of one of our ferrets all seem to be pretty nearsighted. We have a new female kit (Helix) who seems to be nearly blind, but gets along just fine. Some vets we've talked with say that many ferrets are blind and the owners never notice - they have excellent ears and smell which compensate well. We were warned of a breeder in one of the Carolinas who has been breeding ferrets that have eye problems. [Ours seem to have pretty good eyesight, though they haven't been to an Opthalmologist ;-) Was introduced to a juvenile female ferret once that was 100% blind in one eye and severely impaired in the other. Apparently some sort of infection caught while a couple of weeks old at the breeder's. Fortunately for the ferret, the person who had picked her from the litter before she caught the infection still wanted her - she was a VERY pretty silver-mitt. The eye problems didn't seem to bother her either.] We have just heard of an organization called the United Ferret Organization. Has anyone heard about them? It sounds like they either have or will soon be producing a magazine. Some good news for those who have been following the plight of the black footed ferret in Wyoming. Seven of the eight kits born this Summer are doing just fine as of a few weeks ago. (there were two litters - the first in captivity). The known world population is now up to 25 and a rather large effort is underway in Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado to see if other colonies remain. Winter is the "easy" time to find these guys - so maybe we'll hear something soon. If the 25 in captivity are the last, it will be pretty bleak as the genetic diversity is just not there in the Meeteetse colony. Should you wish to give to the black-footed ferret effort (or other endangered species) Defenders of Wildlife is a good place. They have very nice "Ferrets Forever!" t-shirts too. (end of commercial) Steve Crandall ihnp4!mhuxt!evans [Posted in FML 0002]