First, My Katie is a MF ferret and has not had any medical problems in the three years since I *bought her at a pet store!*. She is a very sweet, kind, active, affectionate and healthy baby. My opinion of MF? "THANK YOU FOR MY BABY!!" To me, it's kinda like comparing a grocery store with an organic farmers market. Sure, All of us might think the produce is somehow better at the small organic market, but we all don't have such a place close enough to make it feasible to do our shopping there. So, we're pretty happy to shop at the local (insert name of local big chain grocer) which is close and convenient. Well, where I live there are no "Breeders" within a reasonable distance for me to have considered that route when I was ready to get my ferret. I would have had to travel well over 3 hours (one way). But, there WAS a nice pet shop only 20 min. from my house that had a nice selection of cute, healthy, active MF kits. The price was not too bad considering they were already neutered and descented. And that's how Katie came to live with me! Besides, who is to say that there are not some "small breeders" out there that also keep their breeders caged all the time, breeding one litter after another, etc. Hey, at least MF has staff Vets. (Ask Keleen, of FANG, about the "Small Breeder" she recently had experience with.) A big operation is not necessarily worse than a small one. OK, I'm stepping down off MY soap box now, (and putting on my asbestos undies!) thanks for letting me voice my opinion. TNT! Amy & Katie "Here's Dookin' at you Kit!" [Posted in FML issue 1694]