Pam,
 
I'm not Dawn, but I have been showing since 1997 and I am a judge.
 
>is unfamiliar with the process.  I have never been to a ferret show :(
>Here in California) but I do know that it is a standard and acceptable
>practice for an animal to attend a show without the owner having to be
 
While this is true in other species (I have shown horses & dogs before),
it is not the norm with ferret shows.  At ferret shows, rarely is an
"agent" or "handler" used and if they are used, it is someone that is
very well known by the owner and familiar with the ferrets in question.
And even then, it's not common practice.  Ferret shows are fun for the
exhibitors; the ferrets couldn't care less about the ribbons & trophies.
So what is the point of sending your ferret off to a show if you can't
attend with them to play the raffle, check out the vendors and
(hopefully) accept a ribbon and/or trophy with your ferret?
 
The potential for problems in handing off your ferret to someone that
you don't know are great.  There is a reason why Ferrets Across America
has an interview process & reference check for all their drivers and
requirements of ADV testing & vaccination for the ferrets.
 
>the pet shop ferret mills.  Any well socialized, happy, and healthy
>ferret would not suffer "Stress" by attending a ferret show.  Indeed
 
Actually, shows can be stressful for some ferrets, even moreso if they
don't have a familiar person handling them.  I know that shows are
stressful to me, even though I love them :)
 
People are going to do what they want, but I personally wouldn't be
comfortable handing off my ferrets to someone I don't know just to get
them to a show for a chance at a ribbon.  If I can't go, my ferrets
don't go.  Just my $0.02 worth.
 
Mary
 
*****************************
Mary McCarty-Houser
Director, Pennsylvania Ferret Rescue Assn of Centre Cty
www.ferretrescue.com
[Posted in FML issue 4638]