Ingella, Thank you for telling us how you care for your ferrets in Sweden. Please excuse us here in America if we choose not to follow the same guidelines as you. I could never rest comfortably for an hour if one of my ferrets went missing because he or she had crawled into a hole in the wall. I certainly would not have such a complacent attitude if one went missing for up to five days. I cannot speak for others, but here the ferrets are caged at night for their own protection and during times of potentially dangerous weather conditions. One can never tell when a fire could break out and it is much easier to go to the ferret room and remove the caged ferrets than it is to try to hunt frightened creatures as smoke fills the house. During the day, the ferrets have free run of their room -- a placce that resembles a ferret wonderland. It is filled with tunnels, ball bins, toys, stuffed animals, cat towers, and litter boxes. New arrangements and toys are switched out on a regular basis to prevent them from becoming bored with their surroundings. They and I also spend hours together playing and sharing hugs and kisses. They are safe, happy, and content. As for we Americans choosing to take the time, effort, and financial responsibilities for treating illnesses in our ferrets -- well, don't expect any apologies for that. I say congratulations and bravo to every one of the ferret caregivers here who does that. Ferrets are living, breathing, feeling creatures and not a disposable item to be destroyed or discarded when they become ill. We do not see all illnesses as necessarily automatically terminal. I love my ferrets as deeply as I love my human family and friends, and that love is not conditional on a monetary basis. I don't hug my ferrets and say "Marlow, I love you -- up to five hundred dollar's worth." I also know that there does come a time to say goodbye and end unnecessary suffering, but that decision is not based on a dollar amount. Your methods seem to work well for you and satisfy you, congratulations and welcome to them. But, please do not criticize those of us who choose other methods, nor preach that your way is best and ours is less than ideal. There are as many different good methods of care for ferrets as there are ferret care givers. Scott and the happy, healthy and safe Mustilid Mob [Posted in FML issue 2338]