Hey all. Recently I noticed information pertaining to questions to ask breeders when you are looking to buy from them. Good list, by the way. My question is...(and I may be naive in breeding practices) I've talked to people who have been breeding ferrets or who have bought ferrets from a private breeder and they all pretty much say the same thing. You can't see the parents of kits you are interested in buying...something about being a "closed" operation (I'm not sure if this is the right terminology...like I say, I really don't know much about breeding) and that you can't for some reason see their other ferrets. Why? One of the major points on the list was seeing that the parents of the kit are healthy, but I haven't found a breeder yet that will let you do that...Can someone tell me (privately if necessary) why they have these practices and what you can do to see the parents of a kit. I, too, think it important to help understand what to expect as far as size, health, and temperment in an animal. Thanks...I don't mean to keep beating on the same subject, but I'm curious. Also...I read about Jack Hanna (sp?) and his hatred of ferrets. Gosh, I'm glad I heard about that. I used to watch shows and I'd see him come on from time to time with some neat, unusual, and generally friendly animals. How can he not like ferrets? If he can bring tame mountain lions onto national tv, why can't he find something redeeming about a soft, small, loveable animal that was perfectly sized to curl up on your chest while you watch same said shows that he regularly appears on. My roommate is on a project in Columbus and it seems like everywhere is a FFZ! (we live in Texas where you don't have to go far in any direction to hit a FFZ)...she wants badly to take her fert with her, but when you fly in and out every week and stay in a hotel in a FFZ it's generally not a good idea. What exactly will it take to educate people beyond the general myth of "ooh, a ferret? they bite, don't they..." Okay, off with the cloak of righteous indignation. Tonight I get to pick up my ferts from Noni and I've missed them so much! Any answers to the breeder question will be appreciated...I'm not questioning breeding practices if there is a good reason for it, I really just think that the potential buyer should have an opportunity to see what their kits come from... Later. Kelly Missing Reverend Maynard, Edie, and Cosette, who are only vicious to unsuspecting stuffed animals and the shiny pillow on Katie's bed... [Posted in FML issue 1761]