I should be working on my income tax return right now (the non-US subscribers on the FML can stop laughing now), so what better diversion than to comment on some issues brought up in the previous FML: Vegetable based litter: There are, at the very least, pellets sold made of pressed bark, pressed alfalfa, crushed corn cobs, as well as sawdust-based litter products. I've used them all with some animal or another, but with ferrets I've used the bark and the alfalfa with fine results. Currently I mix the bark or the alfalfa with clay litter as well, roughly 50-50, perhaps thinking I'll get the best (and worst?) qualities of each that way. In fact, some folks simply use the alfalfa pellet rabbit FOOD as litter! It is very inexpensive when purchased in bulk from feed stores, works great, and is flushable. I don't use corn cob litter (I think they'd chew on it) nor the sawdust (most of it has cedar oil). Taurine: In cats taurine is necessary for proper heart function. I don't find anything suggesting the same is true in ferrets, but some studies (Kawasaki in JSEAM) link lack of taurine to retinal disorders. Then again, some poor ferrets are raised on dog food (which doesn't usually contain taurine) and their vision seems to be just fine, but since there is certainly SOME evidence that it is necessary, why risk it? Luckily, nearly all cat foods contain taurine, often listed by the "more correct" name, L-taurine. Humane society: Yes, some humane societies are very closed-minded about some things. I've heard LOTS of horror stories. But there are a few things to consider. Firstly, often the management at your nearby humane society shelter is a very local thing, and it's important to get them educated about ferrets. More importantly tough: the National Humane Society, which formerly did not deal with ferrets has pretty much turned around. For example, this is the third year that ferret organizations will be allowed to participate in their national convention. So, in two weeks animal control people from all over the place will have opportunities to learn about ferrets from some of the real champs, like S.T.A.R*, AFA and FFIRC. It's very encouraging that education efforts are beginning to pay off here. Yes, there's a long way to go with some local chapters - and not only about ferrets IMHO - but let's keep trying. Yeah, I'll be there too in 2 weeks, as will a lot of other FMLers. What the heck, it's near Disney World... and back to where I came in: maybe some of it will be tax deductable... hmmm.... Bill [Posted in FML issue 1138]