In principle, I have nothing against auctioning animals. However... 1) At a horse (or other large animal) auction, the buyers are usually professionals willing to spend a LOT of money on the future care and training of the animal, or are purchasing food animals. A pet store auction is unlikely to attract purchasers with experience. 2) I've been to auctions, and the excitement of bidding sometimes overtakes good sense. Someone may get caught up in bidding for the fun of it, or just to drive up the price for the fun of it, and be totally unprepared for the purchase. 3) Many pet stores (not all, I know) do a poor enough job instructing new owners in pet care on a one-one basis. In an auction setting, there is no interest in the spin-off sales (cages, feed, suppliments, etc), and no time for proper instruction. The staff of the store may not even be there, as the accounting firm may have set up the auction. 4) The only real protection you can give a pet is value. We sell puppies for $250+ for two reasons: to try to recoup some of the whelping costs and to provide some protection. Frankly, you are less likely to abandon an animal worth $250 than one worth $50. BTW - purebed dogs and cats have the advantage of CKC/AKC registration to increase their value. Ferrets have only sentimental/purchase +investment value. Yes, we have tried contracts, buy-back agreements, and no-breeding agreements. However, the only effective deterent is the owner's good will! So, if you see an auction, go out to offer advice (and hope the buyer will accept it!) or to purchase yourself. Auctioned animals are depending soley on luck! Megan and Monster [Posted in FML issue 1564]