I too got my ferrets from a Pet Shop and both of them were not what I was told. I got Woobie for my Birthday six years ago. He was previously owned and returned to a pet shop. I saw him and wanted him. They told me he was about 6 months old. The vet told me he was about 1 year to 1 1/2 years old. He wasnt sure. So Woobies B-day is the same day as mine, since that is when I got him. I guess that will make him about 7 Years old now. I didnt know what breeder he came from (I didnt know much about ferrets back then, Breeders etc..) It turned out he is Marshalls. (Tattoos in his ear). He is the sweetest tempered ferret I ever met. He was already like that when I got him. No Biting, no bad behavior, hes so good. I'll never know how he was raised, but I'm glad they gave him up to me! A year later I was at the same pet shop. There was a very active little ferret. It bit HARD and broke the skin everytime someone tried to put their hand in the cage. I braved it out, With my shirt sleeves covering my hands. Eventually as I was holding it, it calmed down. I was told that it was a Male, about 2 months old. I fell in love and took "Him" brought "Him" home named "him" Junior (Woobie Junior). Brought "Him" to his first vet visit and had to name "him" Princess. They are not what I thought I was buying, but I would never trade either of them for anything in the world!!!! Im sure its a common mistake when there are unknowledgable pet store employees. This pet store just had kids working there, and Im sure were never informed about the animals they were selling. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't buy another from a Pet Shop. I didnt know about the FML, Shelters etc.. Back then. Now I do. Sharon (Smaccie), Woobie and Princess http://members.aol.com/smaccie/ferret.html [Posted in FML issue 2778]