Hi everyone - Thank you for ALL the wonderful advice. I have a HUGE range of opinions and I am starting to feel guilty about my current situation. When I first moved into my current apartment, they declared they had dog buildings, cat buildings etc. I told them I eventually wanted to get a dog. The lady said that if I didn't own one at the time of moving in that it would be stupid to wait for a dog apartment to open up and pay all the extra money ($650 deposit, $10 extra per month rent). So, I got an apartment and it said "no pets" on the lease. yuk. So, I asked her about aquariums..she said "oh sure, just not a huge one - too much water"...I had a 10 gallon..no problem. It was 7 months to my wedding, and I was living alone. Loneliness set in. To get a dog I would have to move. I was afraid to ask about cats, because the guy below me had a cat that sat in the window and always looked at me. I didn't want to get him in trouble. So, I researched ferrets. Smuggled them in. yuk. (the shame). Loneliness disappeared. Then came the day my brother asks me to watch his little dog. So as not to get thrown out over a dog, I asked one of the rental managers if I could keep him over night. She said "Ok, as long as he doesn't bark - you are in a 'cat building'." I was mad. They never mentioned that I was in a cat building. NOt that I would give up my ferrets for a cat, but I could have felt better about the whole thing. Now, with my new husband, we have to add him to the lease. We have barely any room and are looking to rent elsewhere..hence the question about renting with ferrets. BUT, for the time being, should we take the following approach: Pretend hubby owns ferrets, would like to be added to lease, have lease modified if they allow it..everything fine? But, they could say no...then they suspect us, send in maintenance spy and all HECK breaks loose. And to clarify to everyone - if the ferrets are thrown out, I go with them...there is no option for a shelter/ giving them up. I would have to make it seem to the rental office that these ferrets are a new item (ie: moving in with my hubby) OR, I could just put hubby on lease, leave the ferrets as refugees and continue to take them to my mom's when maintenance is scheduled. I am still looking to move to a bigger place, but with all the opinions, my guilt is overwhelming. I know it is bad, but I was desperate for them back then and made some quick (wrong to some) decisions. Thanks for all the advice..Somehow, we will make things right. Stephanie, Chimi & Pepe (who refuse to be called cats) [Posted in FML issue 2657]