hi to all ferret lovers on the mailing list. i've been eagerly reading the fml for just a few months now, and i've posted a couple of times, and in case i haven't yet done so, i'd like to introduce myself and my beloved pets. my name is linda. i have three ferrets, alvin, sally, and dweezil. and we share our home with four cats, joshua, misty, raven, and flossie. oops, almost forgot to mention my hubby, joe. since we live about equidistant from baltimore and the d.c. area, i was wondering if any other fml'ers from this area could post to me, either directly or on the mailing list, some info on local ferret associations, shelters, suppliers, or any other ferret-related stuff. i've tried to read the faq, archives, etc., but i haven't had time to go over it all, so sorry if this info has been posted before. also, i was told by a friend that in maryland it is illegal to adopt a ferret from a humane society unless you are the ferret's original owner.....am i way off base here? for anyone new to the area, or anyone looking for a good veterinarian, please allow me to put in a plug for my vet, the gaithersburg animal hospital. we've been going to them since we moved here in 1986, and they're the best i've ever dealt with. we always request dr. michael berbert or dr. deborah alls-temples. "dr. mike" has helped my cats through cancer, hyperthyroidism, mammary gland tumors, and all sorts of stuff (my cats are 13 and 14 years old, but think they're still kittens.) both dr. mike and dr. debbie are very knowledgable and wonderful with our ferrets. anyway, thanks for all the wonderful info you all on the mailing list have provided. linda [Posted in FML issue 1317]