Judging from the volume of mail I recieved on this subject, I voiced the opinions of numerous people on the list. A *few* questions asked of me made it clear that a couple of individuals misunderstood my remarks. So I wish to clarify a few points. 1) I NEVER said anything I wrote was a fact. I *SAID* it was an opinion, based on experience and education. You are more than welcome to your own opinions, even if they clash with mine. This is not a homogeneous world, and I for one, am quite glad it is not. 2) I NEVER said other people should give up their ferrets. I reported what was bothering me about my own group and that I had seen it in other groups as well. If you want 100 ferrets and can care for them, keep them clean and healthy, and give them an environment where their physical, intellectual and emotional needs are met, more power to you. Please post your techniques to the FML so I can learn how. 3) IF you reread the post, I NEVER mentioned anyone by name except for TLE, and only then with respect and awe of her awesome ferret powers. She is obviously a superhero with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal ferret owners. She is my hero. If anyone thinks I was speaking specifically of them, they need to see a doctor. I am more than capable of mentioning names if I like. If I don't it is because I am trying to make it impersonal because only the *subject* is important. Geesh. One or two of you need to get a life (as far away from me as possible). 4) I NEVER said anything bad of shelters. I was talking about private individuals. However, since it was brought up, I do wonder if shelters have some sort of emergency plan, especially in case of fire, tornados or earthquakes. Tornadoes can hit without warning (although most people can know a few minutes in advance). An earthquake hits without warning. A fire can involve an entire house in less than 5 minutes, especially older ones filled with inflamables. I live in an older wooden frame house and it can become completely involved and impossible to escape in under 5 minutes, which is not enought time to save all my ferrets, much less me. All those cages stacked up in shelters? Say goodbye to the ferrets, they're toast. If you are worried about recliners, you should think of fire. You can't stop the inevitable, but you can at least plan for the worst. I know dozens of people who house all their ferrets in the basement, yet never consider sudden flooding, either natural or accidental (like a water heater leak or broken pipe). In a serious fire, how can those animals be evacuated? In an earthquake or tornado, what will you do to make sure they are not crushed, or to keep them together if the cages are broken. How can you ferret-proof a tornado or earthquake damaged house? Even if you escape and the ferrets are alive but buried under rubble, how can you feed and water them? Back when I was a photojournalist, I photographed scores of people burned or killed attempting to save a child trapped inside a house during a fire. In many cases, the child was hiding from the flames. If a single child is so difficult to find in a fire, how are you possibly going to find a ferret? How about 20? The "danger" I mentioned wasn't towards people; it was towards the ferrets. I should have make that more clear, but really, it was sort of implied. Perhaps people on the FML experienced in such matters, like firemen, police, etc., can post constructive ideas regarding this problem. It would be far more interesting to me than reading endless flames from people who simply do not like each other and live for the opportunity to make the other look bad. Or hate mail from self-involved nuts who think anything I say is directed at them. Bob C and 18 Mo' Ferret Firedogs [Posted in FML issue 2813]