While many other arguments can be made about outdoor vs. indoor ferrets, health is definitely not one of them!!! One of the many adrenal cancer theories involves natural light and temperature; North American ferrets generally have a far higher adrenal cancer rate and, coincidently, are usually housed inside. Non-North American ferrets, on the other hand, are often housed outside and their adrenal rate is far lower. Figure that one out. Caveat: adrenal cancer is a complicated issue, and this is only one of many (in my opinion) contributing factors. This may be my moment to brag about my fuzzies. My fake Christmas tree was up for at least 6 weeks last Christmas and it was NOT dissmantled by the FLO! Granted, the antique crystal ornaments weren't hung on the lower branches <g>, but other than one errant bobble "magically" rolling away from the tree, it was left alone. The tree skirt, on the other hand, was enthusiastically rolled in, dragged to hidey-holes, and pounced upon. I have an excuse if things turn out differently this Christmas, however: Kayla is new to this tree thing and she *may* be a little less sedate. :-) Ariel Jasper, Baxter, Kayla [Posted in FML issue 2492]