On Wed, 12 Apr 2000 15:37:09 -0600 "Rxxxxx" writes:
>I forgot to mention that many older ferrets have dental problems
>caused by folks feeding their ferrets improper diets, especially
>soft foods that don't remove tartar and promote tooth decay. It's
>obvious to me after reading your posting again that you are not a
>shelter by any degree, but a glorified pet store. If you require a
>written one page document for strays and animals coming from animal
>control agencies, you won't get them.
 
Dear Rxxxxx,
 
Thanks for your opinion.  You are the world's best authority, I'm sure, in
your own opinion.  Good work Rxxxx!
 
I agree with you concerning improper diets for ferrets.  What you need to
tell me please, what is a proper diet for ferrets?
 
What source leads you to believe that hard foods, such as kibbled
particulate food, will prevent tartar and reduce "dental decay?" It may
seem obvious to you that this is the case, but how, specifically do you
know this?  I hope that this "fact" is more than your opinion, esteemed
as it is.
 
I'm perhaps remiss in not stating this in my post, but the soup LUMPS is
not the only food served here.  The ferrets also get kibbled dried pelleted
food on alternate days.  In addition they also get briefly cooked chicken
and fresh killed baby mice/rats, including all the bones.  Perhaps this
varied diet may help in promoting dental health, wouldn't you think so?
 
Please tell me, if you will, now that you are so totally convinced after
rereading my posting, the difference you hold between a shelter and a
glorified pet store.  I'd really like to know.
 
Please let me cite to you the information slips I usually get from the
County and City Animal Control agencies that do give a brief history and
detailed ownership data on some of the ferrets they have turned over to our
shelter, or as you are wont to term it - "glorified pet store." Of course
and it almost goes without saying, that obvious strays cannot have any
historical records that come with them, other than the date, time, and the
region or place where they were picked up.
 
I do, however, insist that for willful, deliberate relinquishment of
ferrets by their owners to our shelter, that a one-page historical paper be
submitted with the ferret.  The owners are very glad to do this, because it
is from these historical briefs that potential adopters select an adoptable
ferret initially after reading all the historical records we have for the
ferrets still in the shelter at the time of their visit.  So you see, I
hope, the tremendous value in having an historical biography of adoptive
ferrets.  The adopters are very much appreciative for this information and
the capability to call and get in touch with the ferret's previous owners,
in most cases.  The prior owners are usually very happy to be contacted by
the new owner.
 
I hope this helps you to contain your rancor and what appears as hostility.
I certainly don't mean to incite such emotions in my readers.
 
Thank you for your consideration.
 
Edward Lipinski  Ferret Endowment for Research, Rehabilitation,
Education & Training Society, NorthWest.
[Posted in FML issue 3024]