I'm writing to say that I totally agree with the post made by Janet Boyle about the overly abundant supply of ferrets (and all pets). I volunteer at the Ferret Nook near Madison, Wisconsin. I do not know how Kathy Fritz, the operator of the shelter manages to keep up either physically or financially. There are unwanted ferrets everywhere - the Humane Society is getting more and more, some students decide to release them at the end of the semester, pet stores sell, sell, sell - but do nothing to educate. How a rescue ferret shelter can condone breeding more ferrets is beyond me. These are beautiful, fun loving disposable animals. It just makes me sick how people can buy them, keep them, love them and then dump them. There's not a day on the FML when several people haven't decided that they can no longer can keep their pets. What were their plans when they bought these ferrets? I know that "sh** happens" and sometimes life goes awry. When I take on another pet (one old dog, three cats, three ferrets at the present count) it is for life - theirs or mine. The little urchins that are rescued by the Ferret Nook are the lucky ones. The Humane Society puts them in cages where people can poke their fingers in - and if the poor little scared ferret should happen to nip, either out of playfulness or curiosity - OFF WITH THEIR HEAD - kill and test!! And even the ones that lose their heads are probably luckier than the ones that are forced to live in dirty smelly small cages with absolutely no love decent food - if any - . or medical attention. There is a set of retired breeders from Marshall Farms at the Ferret Nook. They are gorgeous and when they have their time in playrooms and run around and dook and play, it just brings tears to my eyes - knowing this is the first freedom they have known - and I know there are thousands out there living in terrible conditions. I am ranting - but so much of society sucks when it comes to their pets, it just makes me sick! So - have a nice day......! And I do love the FML. [Posted in FML issue 2084]