I think that ultimately what is needed is decent federal animal welfare
regulations that apply to pelters. Required humane standards and enough
vet care would make the lower income pelt animals, including ferrets,
unprofitable. This is something I think almost everyone here wants to
see happen.
If more of the anti-fur places were less showy and more in it for long
haul then welfare regulation improvement that would be where to focus.
It would spare some species from pelters and would at least improve
conditions for those which could not be spared. If they are worried
about foreign prices it is easy enough to point out that fur is one
area where there would be low levels of flack over tariffs. Prices
would rise, so perhaps some would then re-add some ferrets, but maybe
not depending on the profit margin.
There are some regulations that apply specifically to dog and cat
pelts. Working for similar protection for ferrets to be thought of as
companions instead of future coats is another way to go.
Workign over the long haul to improve state laws and regulations also
makes sense, so does connecting any officials or politicians who
facilitate abusive situations with the animal abuse that is documented.
One thing about being high up is that there is further to fall.
A long journey starts with a few steps...
Sukie (not a vet)
Current FHL address:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/http://ferrethealth.org/archive/http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.htmlhttp://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/http://www.ferretcongress.org/http://www.trifl.org/index.shtmlhttp://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
[Posted in FML 5528]
