Chris, I apologize again for the mess with the address change. We (students) have no control over what the "computer wizard" here at school does with the network. [Computer wizard? Snort.] I have a couple of questions. I have decided to start breeding ferrets. One of the main reasons is to try and compete with/put out of business a very poor ferret breeder in this area. He has about 100 ferrets stuck in small cages outside. All they do is breed. He throws food in their cage and gives them water, but they are never handled and receive no medical attention. The ferrets are mean and in poor health, not pet quality ferrets. To dispose of extras and the ones that fight, he "hits them over the head with a brick". The he is able to sell these animals is because the people are unknowing and he sells them very cheap ($20- $35) I'm wrestling with the idea of reporting him to animal control but I'm concerned with being responsible for the deaths of 100 ferrets since animal control would almost surely euthanize them. Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated. I'll ask the rest of the questions in a different letter since this seems to be pretty long. Jenny Au [Unless you can undercut his price, I don't think that what you plan does any good. People are not going to buy from you when they can get them cheaper elsewhere. Trying to mount a compaign to "educate" the prospective ferret buyer of the advantages of yours over his, would be ineffective, expensive, and possibly leaving you open to libel or slander. Ineffective because a large number of ferrets are purchased on whim, and abandoned when inconvenient. And in the unlikely event you *do* succeed, what's he going to do with his failed inventory? Bash them all with a brick. As painful as it may be, reporting him would be probably the most effective and *humane* way to deal with the situation. If nothing else, you've prevented future generations of ferrets going through the same. Besides, one would imagine that if they're healthy enough to be bred, at least some of them can have homes found for them.] [Posted in FML issue 0216]