Dear AFA members:
 
We are a bit shocked and surprised to see some postings on ferrets and
Marijuana?  I believe that this substance is Illegal for a purpose and
should not be in an area or surroundings of ferrets.
 
We have also seen some comments on pet stores and the way they care or
display their ferrets they have for sale.  We as ferret lovers and
friends have a lot more understanding and knowledge of ferrets than the
average person, and for people working in pet stores they are no where
near being  Experts  of all pets they carry or sell.  We have our shocks
and depression scenes at many pet stores we first time go into.  We have
studied and copied our legal laws and regulations in order to be a
responsible dealer or supplier in the "Domesticated Ferret".  So we
talk with these pet stores that do not give the proper atmosphere to
display ferrets for sale.  In return we have steadily acquired great
relationships with these pet stores and even given advice on changes we
wanted to see.  We even have people that need info about ferrets that
call us for our knowledge, understandings, and directions on how to know
about the ferret.  With this, we have gotten more letters of thanks, and
in reality saved more ferrets then what we have in house by educating and
informing the basics that otherwise people would have bought, then could
not handle the responsibility, or in no way understand the importance of
Vet care and cost.
 
We are all about the  well-being  of the domesticated ferret.  However
pet stores carry them for a profit, or better named "Stocked Item".  All
of us as  Ferret Owners  are an elite group of people.  A ferret takes
more responsibility than a dog, cat, aquariums, snakes, lizards, and most
birds.  A ferret is mostly a  Family member.  The ferret is all about
interaction and  Quality time  with their owners.  So remember this in
any store, place, or location you may be at.
 
If you are a loving and caring person for the domesticated ferret, when
coming into a store or where ever the care of a ferret is not being
watched spend a few moments and inform them of their mistakes they see.
Just doesn t post ridicule on them in our post,  Make A Difference
extend that heart of yours and educate more people in that area.
Donations, support, recognition, thank yous, and many other areas of
joy come your way.
 
These postings here, well is for all that are aware of it, already are
caring for their ferret.  And like us here at Georgia F.E.R.R.E.T.S.,
looking for information, assisting each other with idea"s, care, and
treatments.  Why assist only here?  Why not with places you go to and it
is obvious that there is no one  Ferret knowledge  here.  It is there in
public that we can put much better affect and save more ferrets, rather
than always taking in after effects, and dramatized or very sick ferrets.
 
Can we keep the Memories, advise, questions, and information to the
pleasant or differences all of us have made in what ever area that we
come to?  If every ferret owner, shelter & rescue, and Vet that part
takes in this postings was to inform the out side of less knowledged on
ferrets, well I m sure transportation of a ferret even from Alaska To
Florida would be possible thru us all, and request for donations,
auctions, money, or other areas of financial areas well would come easy
through your advise, information, or assistance you gave to whom ever.
For examples: We have a monthly donation of thirty five dollars every
month for a person that never owned a ferret, has not had any interaction
or care to read about the ferret, or to this day will purchase a ferret.
Simply because they called us from the pet store and asked for
information, and said they are about to purchase one for their kid.
After a twenty minute phone call conversation, they thanked us, did
not purchase a ferret, and their child at 10 yrs. Old comes over as a
volunteer, on weekends and some evenings during the week.  And this
child gets to interact with our ferrets, helps clean cages, feeds them
and has been so far educated through us and see s now that if he got his
ferret at the store he was not ready for one and did not know all the
responsibilit y involved.  But he still even more wants a ferret and says
when he has his own place; he will then get his own ferret.  Another well
damaged or paid by the employees that we educated at some pet stores
donations come in sporadically, and these pet stores have less unhappy
clients or returns due to our assistance that they support us and are
glad for our free help in information we have supplied that their
customers are happy, and our needs get assistance in appreciation.
 
Finally, in closing, we just ask every one on this post to do one thing.
Ask not what your Community can do for you, But what you can do for your
community!   There is always give n take when it comes to support of a
rescue or shelter.  Plus if you do not make a connection with a dealer of
ferrets REPORT THEM TO YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITIES!  Regardless we have done
this; yes it is unfortunate but a must in the well-being of ferrets!
Believe us if you was to carry the laws and regulations codes relating to
ferrets and you read off to them and point out the situation, they will
not overlook you at all.  Keep a list also on large pet stores of the
direct management that is in a position above that manager you talk to.
When you have that information they may even ask you what to do then.
(They might think you work for them)  And these large pet stores loves to
have local people courtesy call and inform them if something is wrong.
If you make a difference in your community, you will get recognition.
If you just rescue ones you can what happens to the ones you can not?
If you just try for free donations the support comes too weakly or rare.
There is not profit or even breaking even in any area when it comes to
a rescue or shelter.  What everpet store you most often go to for your
supplies, you must get a good rapport with that manager and work out
an  Information Day  about ferrets.  Why?  You can gain donations by
informing customers for information about ferrets.  Is you deliver
properly you will get request to do that again, as there will be profits
to that locati on store, your rescue gets the recognition, and just about
every person you talk to will donate.
 
Well before I continue going on  I will post again at another time.
Spread your Knowledge on ferrets!  Your rewards come soon after.
 
Sincerely,
Darryl & Angela Smith
Georgia F.E.R.R.E.T.S.
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[Posted in FML issue 4314]