>Ferrets absolutely need to be kept indoors. Being outdoors makes them more >prone to contracting disease from wild animals who might be investigating >their cage. They also might freeze to death. They are pretty small >animals who can lose body heat very quickly, stop eating and starve to >death. Outdoor animals tend not to get the proper attention that they >deserve. I cannot believe you have said this...............my ferrets live outside and are completely pampered. They have their sleeping hutch cleaned out every morning ( even if I get pissed wet through while doing it!) and they either get a run around the garden or a walk on their leads every morning, then they get put in their clean daytime run with raisins hidden carefully in their tubes and hidey holes, clean drinking water and food and a huge sack full of hay to burrow into when they're sleepy. They stay in there till their tea time when they get a quick run around with the kids and dogs before being put back into their night-time hutch with their food ( raw chicken wings normally!) and where their sleeping compartment is stuffed full of hay which keeps them as warm as toast. I don't know if you are aware of it but you can actually cook in a hay oven so maybe that'll give you an idea of how warm it can get. If it's extra cold they get additional sacks or bubble wrap on the outside of their hutch. Touch wood, they have never had a day's illness in their lives..............they are huge beautiful boys with gorgeous thick sable coats.They have both won awards at local shows ( 1st, 2nd and Best Overall hob) and earn their keep by going out rabbiting when we can, with our lurchers, and are fed almost completely on raw food. Does that sound neglected? I know Jane's ferrets are pampered pets too and she dotes on them. How can you make such an irresponsible and hurtful sweeping statement? I think if you did a poll of ferrets in the UK you would find overwhelmingly that most are kept outside and live to a ripe old age ( we have far less incidents of the diseases that seem prevalent in the US). I would be interested to know where you found the facts on which you base your remarks. K. ( the apparently cruel and uncaring one!) [Posted in FML issue 2492]