I have read with interest and amusement the posts from Bob regarding his travels with his business. His opinion regarding shelters though I take some offense to. I agree that shelters are to act as temporary homes till good ones can be found but I dom't agree that shelters can't address the needs of the ferret. I think tha most of us that operate shelters have their best interests at heart. We know that human bonding and out of cage playtime are crucial to the welfare of a ferret and will further dictate how socially compatible they are. I am fortunate to work out of my home and I have contact with all 15 of the ferrets that are in my home. Some of the ferrets that come in to me are so tramatized or so sick that the chances of them being taken in by someone are virtually nill. I will not risk them to even the slightest potential of not getting the most love and care that they deserve. If that make me somewhat of a collector, guilty as charged. My standards are high, maybe to high, the only things that I ask are that my potential adopters make the commitment of a LIFE LONG home filled with love. As I state in my adoption questionare, All aplications considered, Not all accepted. Mr. Church, as much as I adore all my fur children, I can't afford to be a collector. I am a single mom with 3 teenage children to care for. With what I spend on me ferrets each year would be a sizeable down payment on college tuition. I saw a need for a shelter in my area as there were none and the animal shelter was putting them down because it is illegal for them to adopt them out. I am sure that you have seen many less than admirable shelters in your travels, much more than I, but I am thankful that yours is just your opinion. Those of us that are dedicated to doing all that is in our power to ensure that all the fur children that come through our doors have a life long home filled with love, do so because of our love and desire to make a difference. The ferrets that come to me will always have a home with me if I cannot find one that meets my standards elsewhere. I am trully thankful that there is a network of such dedicated people all striving towards the same goal. TTFN, Diana and The Ferret Farm [Posted in FML issue 2512]