Hi! Just wanted to put in my two bits re: ferret allergies. I'm really really allergic to cats, dogs, ferrets; basically anything with hair. And my family includes my husband and my two fuzzies, Oz and Merlin. My allergist has often recommended that i get rid of my ferrets so i could be in better health. But, as i told him, my physical health may be better but my mental health would be significantly worse. I've been able to control my allergies a lot by doing the following: 1) keeping them out of our bedroom, out of the bed, and especially out of my clothes drawers. 2) playing with them wearing thick cotton gloves. I sweat a bit but i don't swell from scratches and bites don't swell and sting for days. I found my scent still carries through the cotton and when the guys see the big purple gloves, they know it's play time. 3) I don't hold them to my face to give them kisses as often as i used to. This really helps with the asthma. 4) I found a place in Toronto that sells air filters that will filter all of the allergens out of a 1600 sq. foot area for $475 canadian. This may seem like a lot, but i've probably paid that much in extra allergy meds (outside of my regular prescription meds) last year alone. This will take dust and mold particles out of the air also. And any dander and hair that's released when Oz and Merlin shed their coats. If I can be of any more help, feel free to contact me at [log in to unmask] for any more allergy avoidance ideas. Hug your fuzzies for me. Nicole [Posted in FML issue 2335]