2 comments about The Odd Lot: Raising Unusual Animals.

1. The personal comments of actual owners of kangaroos, ostriches and the other animals made this book an informative adventure. I learned a lot and have visited some of the farms here in California. I recommend it for libraries especially and any one who is curious about raising some truely unusual pets.



2. It was great to pick up a book like this and find so many other references, personal comments by real owners and resources available about some unusual pets. I needed some information about ostriches which I found, but was surprised at the enthusiasm of the miniature donkey owners - I amy have to check them out as well.

5 comments about Ferrets: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Diseases, Behavior, and Breeding (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals).

1. Although I liked the companion book (Training Your Pet Ferret) more, this is an excellent concise guide for someone who knows nothing about ferrets. This is not a book for anyone who has even a working knowledge about ferret behavior. But then again I haven't found a good guide yet that goes in depth into ferret matters for those of us who know the basics about them, but would like to know more.



2. Although I liked the companion book (Training Your Pet Ferret) more, this is an excellent concise guide for someone who knows nothing about ferrets. This is not a book for anyone who has even a working knowledge about ferret behavior. But then again I haven't found a good guide yet that goes in depth into ferret matters for those of us who know the basics about them, but would like to know more.



3. While some of the information is unique to this book (like the part about ferret sounds and body language) there are some alarming errors (a ferret should NEVER be housed in an aquarium!). Use it as an additional reference, but not your primary one. You should have several different sources to refer to anyway.



4. There are many more up-to-date reference books on the Domestic Pet Ferret. It's an add to my Ferret book collection only. I recommend researching all books available before deciding to be owned by Ferrets.



5. As a keeper of Ferrets here in England I was appalled when I was given this book as a present for Christmas 98'. There are a number of really quite harmful and cruel elements to this book This could not be further from the truth. The Ferret is a highly social animal and they should really be kept in a minimum of threes, two females and a male.

   De-scenting. This is a highly controversial prac n integral part of the animals communication system and to remove them just for the delicate nostrils of the owner is really very unfair on the animal.

   To say that Ferrets release odour when in fear of their life is quite innaccurate. Ferrets release an odour when they are excited, prior to eating, before hunting or going for a walk.

   Within the book the subject of housing the Ferret is not covered at all satisfatorily, to suggest that a Ferret needs a cage of only 10 inches in height is cruel. Ferrets are climbers by ntaure and mine reguarly climb the seven feet to the top of their 6 foot by 6 foot court. There is scant reference to the correct size and positioning of an outdoor court and cub.

   I could go on, but frankly the 1000 word limit is rapidly running out. But for those die hards amongst you who rate this book, just refer to the "My tip" on page 23, advising the reader "never to strike the Ferret's body" This lady must really have been struggling for something to write if she thinks that the average Ferret loving reader would hit such a small animal!

   The picture of the "White-footed butterscotch" on page 41 is further testament to this authors own ineptitude, either if this Ferret is her own or the picture is from a library, it should never have been used in a reference book. The poor animal's nails are clearly too long and should have been t rimmed, if they grow much further they'll grow back under themselves! Poor Ferret.

   One thing this "guide" is not is complete!

   In short, don't waste your money. There has to be a much better guide out there somwhere! By the way, the only reason I gave this book one star is because the review software won't let you choose none!