Regarding toilets. I use two large cat litterboxes; one has an opening cut into the end (not the side) large enough for a fuzzy to enter. The other is used to contain the ferret by-products. The slotted tray is placed upside down over the litter-containing tray, forming a box-like structure, and fixed in place with four 2" binder-clips; one at each corner. Self-contained, spills, etc., are virtually eliminated, easy to clean, and portable (really good on trips!) Its kind of comical to watch the beasties do their thing; they always keep their head stuck out the door. And the expresions... One final word about declawing. (This is in response to two anonymous e-mails flaming my earlier remarks. Come one guys; I'm a scientist and a graduate student. I am also a self-confident and opinionated white male of European extraction. I have been flamed publicly more times than I can count, and by people I think of a as friends. Sometimes I'm right and sometimes I'm wrong, but "truth" is discovered in public dialog. Anonymous flaming mail is a coward's solution!) [Moderator's note: To be fair, the anonymous posts were from people who usually post anonymously. BIG] The structure of a ferret's claw and a cat's claw is essentually the same. Both are composed of a laterally-compressed bone (terminal or 3rd phalanx), covered with tissue and a nail (claw). The same structure exists in all mammals, including humans. The shape can be different, such as a horse hoof, deer hoof, dog paw, or human finger, but the structure is basically the same. The cat's claw has a greater lateral compression and is somewhat shorter and more curved. It also retracts; that is, bends upward so the tips of the nail don't dull as the animal walks. They are primarily used to grip prey, defence and climbing. Ferret claws are longer, thicker, and straighter. They are primarily used for digging and manipulation of objects. Declawing normally involves the amputation of the terminal phalanx; in humans that would mean the tip of the finger is cut off at the last joint. There are times such amputations are necessary; fungal or bacterial infections are the most common reasons. To reduce pain and suffering, or to save the life of any creature would justify such a procedure. There can be other compelling reasons; Bast, my Japanese Bobtail, was declawed as part of a legal settlement, and the equation was lose the fingertips or lose the life of the cat. Cats, and ferrets, will adapt to their "digital remastering." I was raised on a farm where we watered our fields using ditches controlled by sluice gates. My dog got a paw caught in a gate, cleanly amputating it at the wrist. He adapted and lived a long healthy life; so would a human having their fingertips removed. But there is a difference between the accidental loss of a digit, or the removal of a digit to save a life or improve health, and that done to reduce property damage or cosmetic reasons. Adaptation to loss of function is not a justification for mutilation. Think about it. The behaviors that are getting cats and ferrets into trouble are instinctual. The structure and use of claws were determined through natural selective processes over millions of years. It is as natural for a ferret to dig or a cat to scratch as it is for a human to think, speak, or use tools. No animal should be punished for doing what is natural for it to do. As my dad used to say, "Don't pluck the bird for flying." I offer heartfelt apologies to anyone interpreting this as a flame; it is not meant to be. Pets rarely have power or control over their lives; everything is at the whim of the owner. I believe it is the responsibility of of us all, and especially those trained in the sciences, to advocate issues for them. Until an animal learns to get up and argue their side of the issue, I will be their advocate, and argue passionately from their point of view. Bob Moose, Stella, Daye, Tori, and Bear. Stella says, "Stop talking and scratch my forehead. Ok, now my ears. My neck...." [Posted in FML issue 1359]