Jen from Nova Scotia asks whether ferrets raised for research could be treated with the same love that would be given by private breeers." If you are asking whether a big commercial breeder like MF treats its ferrets more or less kindly than private breeders, surely the answer is "it depends on the breeder." I know nothing about MF, but I have sure seen some private breeders who never handle their ferrets, and others who are downright abusive. One breeder I visited in Australia fed a cageful of 12 ferrets by throwing in a live chicken every now and then. They all had mangy feet and thin coats. But I too would like to hear from a disinterested person who has been to Marshall Farms. Do they employ handlers to "gentle" the ferrets? Where is it anyway? I know there is a fairly big breeder near Detroit Michigan--that's not MF, is it? I ask because I may pick up another ferret next time I visit my home state, and because my sister is interested in getting a ferret. Any Michiganders--or people from northern Ohio/Indiana-- who can give tips on breeders? (Ferrets are now legal in Michigan, right?) [Posted in FML issue 1210]