Normally at these auctions we see breeder ferrets. Not this time. A lady brought in two pet ferrets to be sold. She had 3 but one had lost all his hair and she didn't think anyone would buy him so she separated the two boys and brought the one older male. The two boys had been dropped off at her back door 4 months ago. The other ferret she brought was a female that she'd had for 2 1/2 yrs and had gotten her at a swap meet. Don't worry, these two ferrets are safe and we're working on the 3rd. The exotic animal auctions I've been too are dirty, noisy, substandard conditions with tiny cages that sometimes do not allow the animals to stand or turn around (which is against USDA regs but apparently the local agents don't see a problem with this even though it is out right illegal) and the animals are frightened, stressed, have no bedding, no food, no water (also against USDA regs) and are not kept in temp controlled areas (at least the ferrets aren't). I've sat on the cold ground in March holding a tiny 8in x 8in cage that held a full size male ferret with no food or water. He shivered uncontrollably and curled tightly in a ball to try and get warm, to no avail, until I laid his cage on my lap and took my coat off and wrapped it around his cage. Anyone in Kansas that is interested in stopping ferrets from being sold at auctions and swap meets, please contact me. We are too late to do anything this year, but we have time to get organized before next legislation term begins (November). If any Kansas know legislators personally please start working on them. We've got to do something about this. Dogs and cats are not sold at the auctions because they are considered domestic. Ferrets ARE domestic but considered exotic in Kansas. It's past time that we do something. I can't do it alone. I need your help. hugs to all. tle [Posted in FML issue 2631]