I want to add my 2 cents in too. I got my first ferret over a year ago ..he was dumped at Petsmart in East Brunswick,New Jersey one cold winter's day. I knew nothing about ferrets.. all I knew was an animal was abandoned and I had to learn fast how to take good care of him. Alot of people have been saying negative things about ferret shelters..I just recently adopter TWO yes two older ferrets from a ferret shelter and I was asked alot of questions with good reason. First they dont know me from adam and I dont know them either. I wanted an older ferret because I know more about older ferrets than kits. I wanted to make sure that the ferret shelter owner was knowledgeable about ferrets and their care before I even decided to go and visit them. They all had their inoculations and were all ECE free a big plus as I really did not want my over 3 year ferret exposed to that illness if I could help it. I think we are missing the whole point of ferret shelters...they are here because these are the places that knows,understands and considers their welfare to keep the ferrets safe from harm etc. Not all shelters are run well but MOST are like 99% there will always be one place that is not but no one is forcing us to adopt from them. I will always take into consideration of using a ferret shelter instead of a Pet Store because first off there are so many ferrets begging for and needing loving homes and there is NOTHING wrong with pet stores so please do not flame me I work at one, its just that instead of buying a pet one has the choice of adopting one and saving its life from never knowing maybe what a loving family might be.. When we adopt we are giving the ferret a new lease on a loving home... like I said there is nothing wrong with the shelters but its not the same as a real home..There are just too many to spend all day playing and snuggling with them like they are with an owner.I spend almost all day with my three and I love them dearly.It is literally impossible to spend that much time with the ferrets in shelters. yes the ferrets in shelters are loved and well cared for but its not the same as living in a house or apartment.I could go on and on about why I will always have a warm spot in my heart for shelters of any kind but I wont I just wanted to tell others that everyone is entitled to their opinion but we all have one big thing in common.. we all Love and adore our ferrets.Isnt that why we all subscribe to FML in the first place? === please visit my web page at: www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/4908 "Don't be afraid to dream..for out of the most fragile dreams come miracles" *************************************************** [Posted in FML issue 2303]