Sometime next year, we'll get regulations concerning how to keep ferrets. This is an extract of the proposal as it stands now. Swedish text is available on http://www.icl.se/%7Eurf/iller_lag/ --- --- --- Extract from a PROPOSAL from the Swedish bureau of agriculture regarding changes to the rules for keeping pets Chapter 7 Special regulations for ferrets General 1 A ferret may not be let loose outdoors. 2 A ferret may not be fitted with a nose ring or muzzle. 3 A ferret shall have access to a stimulating environment to give it something to do. 4 Adult ferrets who displays aggressitivity to each other may not be kept together in a way which can result in damages or stress. 5 A female ferret must be brought out of heat before risk of fatal marrowdepression (fatal anemia) occurs. 6 Ferret kits may not be separated from the mother before they are eight weeks old. Cages 7 Netting, fences and other openings in a keeping area must have such size that the animals cannot get their heads through them. 8 A ferret may not be kept in a cage with a bottom made of netting. Interior 9 A ferret shall have a box for sleeping or living with dry, soft and clean stuffing. If several ferrets are kept together they shall all have space enough in one or several boxes without competion for the space or aggressetivity occurs. A box for sleeping or living shall be made in such fashion that good hygiene can be maintained and to let the animals take natural sleeping positions in it. 10 A breeding female with kits shall have a box for living with space for the female to birth and take care of her kits. A living space for a ferret with kits outdoors or a not heated space shall during cold weather be able to be given extra heat. 11 A Female with kits shall have access to a shelf for her alone and unreachable for the kits. Appendix 2 table 1 Space requirement Smallest smallest area smallest space smallest smallest permitted per animal per breeding measurment height area for groups female for on smallest groups side 5 m2 1 m2 2 m2 1 m 1 m table 2 Space during temporary storage during a maximum of 16 hours per day Smallest smallest area smallest space smallest smallest permitted per animal per breeding measurment height area for groups female for on smallest groups side 1 m2 0.5 m2 2 m2 0.5 m 0.5 m -- Urban Fredriksson [log in to unmask] http://www.ki.icl.se/urf/ Svenska tam-illerf|reningen / The Swedish Ferret Society Malmv{gen 23, 191 61 Sollentuna, 0701-55 11 55 http://www.ki.icl.se/urf/ferrets/stif/ [Posted in FML issue 1398]