Hey gang, I like BIG's suggestion the best, let's cage the breeder! and then the ferrets will be "free". *I* will DONATE the cage for this, and can clear a spot through my trees out back to house him, might toss in some hay in the winter if he shivers too much, but TX isn't as cool as KS, hmmm, anyone in say MA or ME or AK who would like an 'unusual pet'?? I wonder, should we drag out the Tide, Lysol, and water hose in say January to give him a good cleaning....(can you see my evil grin?)? I shouldn't go on like this, but picturing all this in my mind for some reason gives me great pleasure!! (Please, no flames....I am only kidding... <I think>) Seriously, TLE is right about this poor guy simply being uneducated about ferrets. I, too, fit that category just a few years ago. I had to actively *search out* information when I got involved (fell in love) with ferrets. Luckily, I was exposed to them as a "pet", not just another animal to breed and profit on. I got to see their wonderful personality and intelligence first, not the nasty aggressive behavior of some breeder-ferrets not kept as pets. I think there is a lesson here. There is a serious "lack of accurate information available" to the general public about ferrets. We all need to make it our personal mission to educate folks about these wonderful creatures. If there is no club in your area...START ONE! If there is one, support it, and help in the education of everyone in your community, *especially* breeders, pet shops, and vets. Use diplomacy and tact, and you will go farther I promise in helping ferrets everywhere. I was surprised and very pleased to learn that this man does keep lots of food and fresh water available for the ferrets, unfortunately, even some pet stores don't do that, and alot of breeders don't make the extra effort to monitor these things closely enough. I was also very happy to hear that he listened, and learned from the group that visited him. That is a big plus!!! If someone simply 'doesn't know' how can you fault them, especially when they are willing to change when they do learn the truth/proper care. **EDUCATION** that is where we need to work the hardest. These conditions sound awful, true, but I can promise you that somewhere there are ferrets in a much worse situation. We can't reach or know about them all, but they are out there. Poor Buddy, one of my rescues last summer, was practically dead when I got to him. His owner was keeping him in a shed out back, in temps over 100 degrees, who knows how hot the shed really was, but Buddy suffered a heatstroke that day, and maybe several before that, I don't know. But the guy obvioiusly had no clue that ferrets can't take heat. Buddy survived because I intervened and he is getting along pretty well now. What scares me is how many other ferret owners (not to mention breeders) are out there doing exactly the same thing, and how many ferrets actually *die* from improper treatment due simply to a lack of accurate information about ferret-keeping. If your circumstances prevent you from actively educating folks, how about buying "one copy" of Deborah Jeans book and donating it to your library? I think that would have a wonderful impact! Just my .02 worth. Give your fuzzies extra hugs today and tell them how great they have it, many don't. Trish Director, Ferrets First Rescue & Shelter [Posted in FML issue 1710]