I am surprised at the number of responses indicating interest in sailing ferrets. I will write a bit today and finish the tale tomorrow. Our background - I am retired and have been working toward the goal of cruising Central America in my 32 foot sailboat. Chubie, the first ferret, joined me several years ago, courtesy of someone who 'didn't have time for him'. After deciding that it was feasible to travel with him, I purchased Dunkin' as a kit. This turned out to be a good move, as they get along very well and provide each other with a lot of exercise and companionship. The decision process was difficult. Chubie seemed to live comfortably on my thoroughly ferret proof boat (don't think that didn't take some time and doing!). He was an unflappable sailor. Even starting the engine on a quiet day didn't seem to phase him. My worries were more along the medical, legal, food, and heat lines. My first step was to call the consulates of the countries I intended to visit (Belize, Honduras, Mexico and Guatemala). Mexico never did give me a clear answer, so I decided to skip them, although no one I know has ever had the slightest problem with a cat or dog. For the others, there is some paperwork easily accomplished if enough time is allowed. It consists basically of filling out a form, UNITED STATES INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF HEALTH EXAMINATION FOR SMALL ANIMALS, which is usually available from a veterinarian, following directions of where to send copies, and waiting for the forms to be returned properly stamped. This whole process didn't take more than a week, but I was in Florida dealing with consulates in Miami. It may take longer in other locations. My second step was to ascertain that I would be able to get the little guys back in the country. I made MANY phone calls and got the same answer from everyone (I believe it was the Dept. of Agriculture). There would be no problem as long as I had documentaion of their vaccinations and a health certificate. Then it was decision time. I made an appointment with my vet, who does a lot of work with ferrets, to discuss the pros and cons. My major concerns were the heat where I was going, and the availability of medical care, food and vaccines. I had done a lot of thinking about the heat, having several ideas which I felt would work. Vaccines and food were easy as numerous friends had plans to visit and could bring them down. Medical care was another question. Since Chubie was relatively young, we decided that, with proper care and precaution, we didn't expect any serious problems. My vet promised to be readily available by email and telephone, and I was prepared to take the first flight to Florida if any serious problems developed. The medical care question was probably the most difficult to deal with since I felt that I might be exposing them to unnecessary risk. Maybe it is the same thing other parents go through in deciding whether or not to take their children to some of the more exotic places in the world. In the end, I decided (selfishly, perhaps) that I could take better care of them than anyone. All of this decision making took place a year ago, and we have been cruising happily for 9 months. The little guys seem in very good health, get a lot of exercise and play time, and give me lots of little ferret kisses. Before anyone worries about Chubie and Dunkin' let me end with a brief description of their life aboard. First of all, they are never caged except for their own safety (underway when the weather is rough, or when I am working on the engine). They have complete freedom inside the boat and supervised time on the deck. I even have a 'ferret fetcher' (net) readily available if it is needed. True to his name, Dunkin' has been in it more than once. They have toys and each other and never seem to lack for something to do. Wrestling is big time as is playing in their clear dryer hose. They get a lot of attention from other cruisers, and, true to their nature, spend a lot of the day snoozing. Tomorrow I will write something about the practical solutions to some of our problems, and, if space permits, include a few happy and a few worrisome accounts of their adventures. Shirley on Chelsea B [Posted in FML issue 2238]