Judith - I guess I missed it. What all is MF doing in terms of research etc. to help ferrets? I suppose that as a by product of trying to be more efficient and more profitable that benefits have come out of their business. But that doesn't mean that they care about the overall big picture of ferret welfare. If they cared they are a few simple things they could do. (1) Not market to Japan before vets and consumers knew zip about them - I saw some of the ads and they heavily implied that they are caged pet. As in like a hamster. (2) Sell their ferrets with a simple fact sheet. Even better yet it would be more responsible to sell them with a questionnaire "You should/shouldn't be a ferret owner if" sort of thing (but that would cut down on profit) (3) Sell them a few weeks older (also a profit problem) (4) Donate some of their profits to shelters (5) Donate to Vet Colleges for education, research To my knowledge they do none of this. Anything they do seems to relate entirely to increasing profit margins. I'm glad some good info comes from this but that certainly doesn't put them on my "gee their kind people" list. As for breeding for profit - I personally don't think a responsible breeder who actually comes out a little ahead on a litter of whatever is wrong per se. However if you breed with the intent to make a profit - you run the risk of what in my mind is an irresponsible breeder. I.e. Whether cats z or dogs or ferrets you should only be breeding to improve the breed. A knowledge of genetics, breed standards, health screening for known problems in that breed, showing and breeding only those animals that have proven to be the best of the best in all aspects is in my opinion a responsible breeder. A responsible breeder to my mind does it because they love the breed and breed because they think they can keep it sound and healthy. Anything less is simply adding to the pet overpopulation problem. Breeders who disagree and aren't actively involved in rescue or volunteer at their local animal shelter - well they need to IMHO. Mary, Booker and the fuzzbutts Boris and Giesela If you don't Rescue, Don't Breed [Posted in FML issue 2717]