Saturday night I decided to send for some old issues of the FML and I read them until I couldn't keep my eyes opened any more.......I missed some really interesting discussions earlier in the year! I don't want to start any new flame wars, but I really do want to address a couple of issues: To Jeanne Stadtmiller: I was surprised at the negativism that Totally Ferret seemed to be met with - at least originally. Since I just explained my own personal experiences w/ it yesterday, I won't say it again today. You and I have had *extremely* positive results w/ TF when it comes to sick ferrets, and I highly recommend it. I've spoken with Tom Willard alot myself, and he is currently working on a formula for older ferrets. Once that is completed, he will start work on a different flavor (mostly to satisfy those of us who like to mix) I don't know what condition my ferrets would be in today if it weren't for TF. As far as the "coat yellowing" initially I had the same problem, but that seems to have resolved now. My albinos and BEWs all look "white". I have no explanation - just an observation. TO Mary McCarthy: Yes, it is true that in NYS a licensed vet tech cannot perform surgery on PET animals. You cannot legal spay/neuter ferrets (dogs,cats) coming into the animal hospital. However, in a breeding facility such as Marshall Farms, it IS legal to do that. These are not considered pets (yet) and techs are trained to spay/ neuter/descent. A licensed vet tech I am acquainted with interviewed for a job at MF - I, too, questioned that aspect of it when she told me what she would be doing and that was the explanation I was given. As far as the great number of MF ferrets that you seen in the hospital - MF is the LARGEST breeder of ferrets in the country - around 85% of pet ferrets come from MF, and this accounts for the large # of MFF seen in clinics - or anywhere for that matter. For everybody else: MF keeps their pet lines and research lines separate. Animals used for research are not mixed w/ the animals sold to retail pet stores. Please note: I am not an advocate for animal research OR early spay and neutering. If anything, I am an Animal Rights advocate. However, the biggist reason MF spays/neuters early is due to improper care of whole ferrets turned loose on an uninformed public - since my post on responsible breeding only 2 days ago, I have FOUR more calls from inexperienced people w/ YOUNG females in season who want to use my hob. NOT ONE of these people could give me any background info on their ferrets: i.e, they didn't have any pedigree history at all - they couldn't even tell me the name of the "parents" of their ferret much less go back 3 generations. Two of these people don't even know what color their own ferret is! So while I am not happy with early spay/neutering, under JQ public starts acting more responsibly (I mean UNTIL JQ Public....), it is probably *safer* for ferrets everywhere if they are neutered/spayed BEFORE hitting the retail market. To Bruce Williams: I had *no* idea you did all the stuff you do out of your own personal interest! I thought this was your "job" - and then to give so freely of your time on the FML, on the telephone, and on private email - well, what can I say???!! There is a special place for people like you.......I can only hope that I will "earn" a spot as well, and be lucky enough to see you there someday with tons and tons of happy healthy critters everywhere. Debbie Riccio WNYFLFA [Posted in FML issue 1160]