I was asked to post the following by someone on GEnie who does not have internet access. (I've been volunteered to upload the FML there). Bill --- begin forwarded post --- Item 0493955 93/03/07 17:13 From: D.VANDENBROU David A. Vandenbroucke This is a reply for the ferret mailing list, concerning "Bill Goldberg's" posting about cages: Bill Goldberg: Please provide references for the "studies" that show that keeping ferrets in cages reduces their lifespans by half. I find that assertion impossible to believe. If anything, I would think that caged ferrets would live longer than uncaged. Ferrets are far too curious and intelligent to be allowed to run around a house unsupervised. There are many ways that they can find to hurt themselves, as the stories of ferrets trapped in walls, ingesting plastic, chewing on electrical cords, being crushed by recliners, etc., attest. Cats aren't nearly as good at getting into trouble as ferrets. I certainly don't advocate leaving ferrets in their cages all the time, but I see nothing wrong with keeping them there when we're sleeping or not at home. If there is specific evidence that this is harmful, I'd like to see it. --Dav ---end forwarded post--- [Posted in FML issue 0432]