This is in respnse to Gail and the Zoo about buying ferrets only from ferret farms. I have eight ferrets, three of which came from farms complete with the tatoo in the ear, they are also the only three that are fixed and descented. One of the three, Marty, is totally psychotic. He is adorable and we love him and hope we can keep him, but he is mean and naughty, to us and to the other ferrets. (not to mention the cat) The first day I seen him at the store I picked him up and he bit me, no big deal. Then the owner, totally amazed that I even tried, wanted to sell him to us at cost because Marty was a liability to the store, we said no because we didn't want another ferret. He then asked if we would just take him and try to tame him. We said okay. Marty attacked my hand so viciously that I had eight punctures, to the bone, and the owner and Matt (fiance') had to literally pry his jaws off of my hand, and the owner got nailed pretty good too. We have had him now for a while, and we take very good care of him. I give him a lot of TLC and when he bites he gets a thump on the nose and a taste of bitter apple. He is holdable to some degree, like if he is sleepy or in a good mood. Otherwise he attacks us and the other ferrets. He has chewed two of the girls' ears so bad the the tatoos are almost gone. I guess we should give him back to the store but the owner doesn't want him and will probably have him put to sleep. We have four pregnant females due soon, and we are selling them to ferret lovers first, then to a couple local pet stores that want them. Along with the kits will come information and a business card with our number to call if there any questions or problems. I cannot bear the thought of ferrets going to unknowing people, being abused or hurting people, and the possibility of a "Kansas" lawsuit over our furries. The biggest thing I can think of is to give mothers, fathers, and kits lots and lots of TLC, hands on care. Can they and do they get that from ferret farms? There is a ferret farm here in the state, whether it legally counts as one of your four, I don't know. But we bought a couple from there who were the meanest little babies at first, probably due to lack of loving attention, or the mothers' lack of loving attention. Now, after "pleading my case" (smile) Would you not consider buying ferrets from individual breeders like us? (I am not trying to sell them to you, just make a point.) Take Care, Tarra, Matt, Kodiac, Peanut, Kit, Beauty, Aussie, Quincy, and Marty. PS ANYONE INTERESTED IN KITS, DROP ME A [log in to unmask] THEY WILL BE READY IN ABOUT 8 WEEKS. (the first litter, that is!) [Posted in FML issue 0728]