I'm probably going to get into big ferret doo-doo here (I have a tendency to do that, usually by accident.) But I have a question. And it's not a sarcastic question - it's an Honest-Abe question. How do you figure Marshall farms is NOT like a puppy mill? What constitutes a "puppy mill" and how is a "ferret mill" different? The way I see it - puppy mills are large breeding places where puppies are made, as often as possible - puppies, from my understanding, are caged in rows and rows - and breeding the hell out of them is for profit. So, there are thousands of ferrets lined up in rows and rows. They are manipulated so they can breed three times a year (NOT like nature intended) - for three years. They have the hell bred out of them and then they are killed because they are not cost effective - and make no more profit. Other than having a vet on premises.... how is this any different than puppy mills. I know a lady who toured Path Valley and was told their ferrets have such wonderful coats because they are kept in black boxes/cages. Marshall Farms admits breeding jills about 3 or 4 times a year (ladies, would anyone like to be forced into having 4 children in 3 years???) Based on the fact that nature provides one, maybe two reproductive cycles in a year - these poor jills are probably just plain "worn out". And after giving their lives in this way - for 3 years, they are just plain killed and never given a chance to have a normal end to their life. But at least there's a vet on premises! So, please, please explain to me why puppy mills are puppy mills - and Marshall Farms or Path Valley, too, for that matter - are not ferret mills. I don't understand. I guess I also can't understand why there can't be an adoption program - or something similar to the retired greyhounds as an option. But silly me, Marshall Farms can't make any money that way. It's more PROFITABLE to kill them. They're excuse is that their "retired" jills are not pet quality. To that I say "B...Sh..!!" The one thing EVERYONE has agreed on from the start is that MF Ferrets have the MOST wonderful personalities. MF prides themselves on breeding these personalities. I can't believe for one instant that these retired jills wouldn't respond to love and kindness... not if the personalities of their offspring are any clue. Well, for what its worth - that's my opinion - I don't see any difference in puppy mills and ferret mills... and truly, I would like to know the difference... "Puppy Mill" obviously has a "technical" definition. Someone please explain it to me... and the difference. Jeanne Stadtmiller [Posted in FML issue 1305]