I am a ferret rescuer and I go to elementary schools in many school districts to teach children about ferrets. I don't let them keep real ferrets because children can be so small and dangerous that they can accidentally harm them. I always bring them toy ferrets for them to hold and touch as I teach and show them real ferrets. Ferrets can catch the flu virus from children and die from it. That's one of the reasons I prefer not to be touched by them. I collect many toy ferrets of all kinds and love them! This particular one is not being handled by children because I approve! :-)