My two Canadian cents about the on-going MF saga.
 
Dawn:
 
Not every potential ferret owner that goes into a pet store is a drooling
idiot.  The idea that you are "rescuing" petstore ferrets from lives of
certain hell is ridiculous.  My first ferret was bought at a pet store, and
I read books on them before buying him.... I would hazard to guess that the
VAST majority of us on the FML got our first fuzzy from a pet store rather
than a shelter.... most shelters aren't that visible to those just entering
the realm of ferrets.
 
To others on the list that say we couldn't make a dent in MF:
 
I haven't seen the atrocities at the mills myself, but, if they are true and
have been investigated by authorities, it is our DUTY as self-proclaimed
ferret advocates to discontinue business with MF.... if not US, then who
else will?
 
Use that money you were going to spend- on the blue-dotted ferret or
hammocks and other MF products- to inexpensively print a flyer and post it
in your local pet store where they sell ferrets.  Explain that you are a
ferret-educated owner (or shelter operator) and are willing to give advice.
HELP more people to become ferret-friendly pet owners instead of assuming
they are all stupid and cruel.
 
There is NO EXCUSE for any of us to buy the products (food, beds, etc) from
this company, there are plenty of others that want our bussiness and don't
torture ferrets in the mean-time.
 
If we Ferret-people don't stand up for what's right, no one will, no,
Marshall Farms will not go out of bussiness, but every lost penny would
HURT!
 
If pet stores stopped ordering products from them and we boycotted them
all-together then that's money they will never see again.
 
I implore you ferret owners, take your fuzzies to schools and parks, give
demonstrations on these great animals and HONEST answers about their care,
and the best place to get them: Shelters.
 
We are the only ones that can educate people about these pets.
 
THAT is the way to make a difference.
 
Thank-you.
 
Kris.
[Posted in FML issue 3184]