I just want to say one little comment about this subject , do you see many dogs or cats that someone has had very long for sale? I think not, so why would someone try to recoupe all they had for a mistake they may have made and make an animal suffer? The courts would not allow it to be done to a child. I hope we would have the best interest of the ferret at hand and forget all we have spent. I run the shelter in St. George and have had people bring me their pets in tears wanting a better life for them bringing cage, food and not asking a thing in return. I think we have all been there. So on this issue I must agree with Melissa. We must remember our duties as ferret lovers and continue to educate those who know nothing about ferrets before they get them, and remember what our mission is here. I don't think we have the right to accuse or pass judgment but do all that we can to help no matter how far we must go or do. I just want you to know when I see a ferret for sale in the paper nine times out or ten if I call them they will release them to me without charge, sometimes with cage or without. I was lucky enough to receive a 4 and 5 yr old and have decided to keep them for our own and we dearly love them, but they did come to us free from someone who truly loved his ferrets and thought of their welfare first. When people come to me bargain hunting for a ferret I get a little nervous. It puts me in a position to really anylize this person and why they really want a ferret. So I can totally understand . I can never get back all the money I have spent helping ferrets. It has been a great pleasure when I see one go to a good home, it's well worth it. I have to remember the cause and not the money . Sherry And 4 fuzzbutts [Posted in FML issue 2310]