>Get a hard plastic tube (drain pipe, or even stiff dryer hose), cut it to >the length of the gate and slit the tube all the way down the side. Then >place the tube over the top of the gate. The ferret now has no grip on the >top of the gate because of the tube. This solution has worked for us for about six months now. No "escapees" yet. We used 5 inch PVC tubing. The leftover tubing makes a great ferret tunnel toy! Our little girl ferrets could get their heads caught in the diamond-shaped mesh of the baby gate. And would, given half a chance. So we lined the panels of the gates with panels of heavy-duty corrugated cardboard. We fastened them on with staples. It's held firm with no deterioration or chew-off for close to a year now. We cage up the ferrets at bedtime and give them run-around space within their (non-carpeted!) enclosure during the day. This space of about 150 square feet is space enough for cozy places and fun toys. It includes a bathroom and a hallway, so the same space serves duty for functional human space as well as ferret space. It even includes the floor of the linen closet, which now harbors a square of carpet, some favorite toys, and a trusty towel. How do they get in and out? They just flatten down and slide under the door. They love it in there. Plus, they get expanded-territory human-interaction playtime once or twice a day into other parts of the house. We move the gates around to redefine their space. It feels a little like living in a canal with adjustable locks! We like this a lot better than our original system of keeping them in the cage unless we're actively playing with them. And we hope they do, too! :-) Vesna Kovach Editor, Madison Pet Gazette [log in to unmask] (608) 249-8707 If you love animals, you'll love the Madison Pet Gazette! Now featuring: Cameron the ferret's change of heart...nail clipping tips...ferret bite law reform...protect your pet from common household toxins..."If I were a favored cat"..."My schnauzers: the guardians of the yard"...more Go ahead, click on over to http://www.petgazette.net (it rhymes!) Cover story changes often! [Posted in FML issue 2169]