There is a pet store in Northeast Philadelphia called Birds, Birds, Birds
located in the 4400 block of Frankford Avenue.  It is their practice to cut
and file the canine teeth of the baby ferrets as they come into the store.
They also tell their customers to continue filing their teeth "until they
become sensitive" if the ferret bites.  The person that does this for the
store came just short of bragging about the store's policy.  He also is
passing out incorrect information on the care and feeding of these ferrets
with just enough correct info to make it sound legitimate.
 
According to the store, they buy the ferrets from a breeder in New Jersey.
Maybe this breeder will recognize the store name and either stop selling to
them or demand they stop cutting and filing their teeth.
 
Many complaints have been filed with the SPCA, not only about the ferrets
but also about their practice of bathing the puppies in Kerosene.
Unfortunately, the SPCA's response is "although this practice may be
horrible it isn't against the law or considered cruel".  If anyone has had
experience with a similar situation, please let me know what you did and
the outcome.
 
This whole situation makes me sick.  The one little ferret had a hole going
straight up his tooth.
 
Thanks,
Diane
[Posted in FML issue 3082]