1.For Zen who thinks that I am an elitist who feels that only I [or people in some political party he has accused me of belonging to]should have ferts---anyone reading that probably smiled. I am the one working 6 days a week to TRY and be able to keep these little guys. That he is one of the few that has minimal health problems in a large group of ferts that I have heard of, seen, or read about is truly wonderful A dishonest breeder here or there might be inclined to claim they have no health problems in their ferts when in fact they do ..So i would want to go on word of mouth from people on FML like Outlawdook as far as health in ferts from breeders.But this would not negate the overall writings and experiences of others such as Alicia who see many pet store ferrets. 2.For all of you who kindly shared your experiences and distress, and financial concerns-I don't know how much longer I can afford this either. I spent an extra $4,000. plus these last months on adds and temporaries before hiring someone. Now I have been called to jury duty. I have to pay 3 employees each day i am gone, though not a penny can be made unless I am there. Naturally-the rent,my health and auto insurance , disability ins., liability ins., answering service,etc.--are not going to stop the clock while i am gone. Wolf has started a bad cough, and Tiger is losing more fur. There simply is nothing I can do. I am now on my own emergency expense money.And i still have a fert Visa bill coming. To say these guys are as healthy as a cat seems beyond my laughter now. In a dream world-these guys would only be sold by licensed breeders to individuals. But they would be expensive-say $1400.Maybe $800. would be refunded with proof of neutering in timely manner. $200. would be applied to research and shelters. People would see breeding facilities.Puppy Mills for ferts would not sell companion animals. Pet stores would stop trying to sell ferts they could not sell.! Breeders with animals that ended up frequently with adrenal problems in ferts neutered between 5 and 6 months would not be around for long.Breeders with healthy ferts would be very successful. They would sell fewer ferts-but make more money per fert. When price of fert is increased, and people have to go out of their way for fert to find one--at least CHANCES of a good home increase. There is no impulse spending. And part of money-- would go towards qualified shelters for rejected ferts. Slavery in this country is over.Not too long ago, women got the vote. We are recycling now. More people are becoming vegetarians. People are becoming aware that we are wearing dog and cat and ferret fur on our hoods.People ARE neutering their cats and dogs much more now than even 5 years ago.Shows on puppy mills expose us to life for puppy and baby fert and mother ferts. Dreams can become reality.If it means I cannot afford fert from breeder- then so be it.It is the fert that matters.Isn't It?? And I Can't afford them now at this rate anyway, just like all of you who were kind enough to write me.At least this way there would be many more ferts that are healthy, and there would be money for research and shelters that can place mostly healthy ferts in good homes. A good place to start is by not buying from stores that sell living beings and letting them know why you are not purchasing goods there.Then you tell your friends... Just my dream for the ferrets. Lisette [Posted in FML issue 2688]