Here in Northern Virginia the Petsmart stores have committed to not
selling ferrets, provided that an active ferret rescue stages periodic
adoption events at one or more Petsmart stores. FerretsFirst currently
schedules two such events each month, one on the third Sunday at the
Petsmart in Falls Church, VA, and another the first Sunday at the
Petsmart in Chantilly, VA.

These events are a LOT of fun! We bring 6-8 ferrets, and they play in
a playpen with play blankets, tubes and toys. It is so funny to watch
the range of reactions when customers come into the store and see the
wiggly weasels. Most are truly delighted to see the fuzzies. Some
people are repulsed and give us a wide berth when navigating around our
spot! Many are curious and take the time to meet the ferrets and ask
questions about ferret ownership. It is an opportunity to dispel many
ferret myths ("Do they stink?", "They bite, don't they?", "Are they
rats?", etc.)

We also get prior ferret owners who stop to reconnect with ferrets
after not having them for many years, and folks who are ready to adopt
come by to see us and make arrangements for adoption. We don't adopt
right out of the store unless we are meeting adopters who have already
gone through the screening process. There are some financial incentives
for the shelter when an adoption takes place right at the store (but I
don't have all the details on how that works at the moment).

The store even has a very nice custom "FerretsFirst" sign hanging in
the "Adoption Center" that identifies us as an adoption partner.

Now that you have successfully caused the store to end its ferret
sales, it may be a good time to explore setting up an periodic adoption
event with them, especially if you have a shelter in your area. It's a
great way to conduct rescue outreach.

Jack
FerretsFirst Webmaster
http://www.ferretsfirst.org 

[Posted in FML 5662]