I run a licensed ferret shelter in New Jersey, and lately (well, I don't know if you consider over a year "lately") i've been seeing a lot of publicity (This last newspaper article was the last straw) and postings about other shelters in New Jersey that are operating as a "shelters", but are not licensed; either as a business/nonprofit, or with the Department of Fish, Game & Wildlife, which in this state is a requirement. A twenty day permit MUST be given to the new adopters, and I know for a fact that there are three shelters in this state that are not complying with this law. My dilemma: do I allow these people to continue to do this, although they have no license, and are basically breaking the law, and also housing ferrets in conditions unlike ours, which can be inspected whenever the state feels the need? Or do I just sit back and allow this to continue? I pay $100 each year for a permit that I consider essential, while these other folks are blatently disregarding this law. I've heard awful things about some of these shelters, ranging from inadequate veterinary care to filth. I do not wish to name names, since I have not been to any of the shelters personally, but am relying on the word of 4 different clients and foster parents who have been there, and were disgusted at the conditions that the ferrets were being housed, and chose not to adopt from them in fear that they might bring disease/fleas/intestinal parasites into their homes. If collecters choose to call themselves "shelters" and become listed on the shelter lists of Ferret Central, The SOS Shelter List, The American Ferret Association, and even as a PetsMart Charity, shouldn't they actually have to be legitimate? This is really beginning to disgust me [NH] [Posted in FML issue 2598]