1) Is it okay to keep a ferret in a basement in a cage all day while I'm at work. The basement has two casement windows, a furnace, and temps don't generally fall below 55 degrees farenheit in the winter (I live in Massachusetts). There's not a great deal of light, and it's a tad damp, as basements tend to be; is that okay???? 2) One pet store i've viewed ferrets at in Massachusetts (Pet store "A") keeps them in a giant, aquarium-like container, filled with pine shavings (I know, I know--both are big "no-no's"). Also, Pet Store "A's" staff seems to be mostly teenagers who don't really know much about ferrets. The other place, Pet Store "B," keeps them in a wire container, with rabbit pellets at the bottom of the cage, and whose staff is much more informed. The issue is that Pet Store "A" only charges $130; Pet Store "B," $150. Should I fork over the extra $20 bucks because my chances of getting a healthier critter are better--or am I being too cautious??? Thanks [Posted in FML issue 1696]