>From:    Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Just an Observation>
>
>I have seen several posts on various groups about people showing their
>ferrets from last year's large-scale purchase from Doug McKay. I find
>it rather fascinating that his whole operation was condemned by the
>ferret community, yet people can't seem to wait to show their pretty
>new toys. Kinda smacks of exploitation, IMO.

Dear Anon,

I think you raised a very important point. Others may see it as a
matter of pride, but I saw something else in your post. From your post;
It was my take, that if these animals were so neglected, how in the
world could they be show worthy? If that was your point, I'll address
it as best I can.

Several years ago in preparing my criminal case from a rescue with
horrible proportions of neglect, I sought out long lasting effects from
Dr. Bruce Williams. I invite him to chime in here. In that conversation
was good news/bad news. The good news was that ferrets are a resilient
species, capable of coming back to good health with proper diet and
exercise within a short period of time, 6 months even. The bad news
was, that I couldn't pin long lasting medical effects on a general
population due to neglect.

Once diet and exercise are corrected, then we deal with dentition
issues that could adversely affect the kidneys. Ear mites too, and
general mainenance done.

With all of this said, those that have re-homed DMK or any ferret from
neglect, can hopefully boast a recovered ferret. You can show any
ferret, there's always last place, not all are champions. It's a matter
of pride that these folks are showing their rescued ferrets. Many
others on that farm were not so lucky.

Truly, only the strong survived. As we all know from the ages of those
rescued, there were no elderly ones, and rarely any above 3 yrs of age.
The question of what happened to those ferrets of that age over the
last 20 years that Unique Impression existed pains me. Pains us all.
20+ years of breeding...what the hell........where...what happened....
to those breeders? Damn it all. Believe me, if I'd taken an 5, 6, 7, 8
yrs or more ferrets off that farm, I sure as hell would have been proud
to give him/her a venue to strut his/her stuff.....but those ferrets
were not brought from the farm by Lorie Sies. What happened to over 20
years of breeding. Bless them, they didn't survive

I was Team Leader DMK. Perhaps the time has come to tell our story.
The DMK Team worked relentlessly for eight months. We bombarded and
badgered every level of authority for a release of the DMK ferrets.
Understand, that the ferrets included in the rescue, were survivors.
There indeed was attrition. We were thrilled to hear of their release,
and we rallied for that cause. Ultimately it was our hammering the
USDA to corner Doug McKay for their release, as Jean Caputo-Lee has
previously posted. The USDA prevailed in closing him. Could we have
negotiated a release without paying for them?...possibly, who knows,
it's history now.

Again, the good news is that despite the neglect, in most cases, a
ferret can be restored to health. Behavioral is an entirely different
subject, but approached with the issue of trust, most always can be
re-habbed.

If DMK ferrets are being shown, it's with a smile, for they are the
survivors. Lest us never forget that there were others, we never had
the good fortune of knowing.

Affectionately,
Barb Clay
Dir of Shelter Affairs for Rocky's
Member - Ferret Council
Proud member of The DMK Rescue Team
www.rockysferrets.com

[Posted in FML 5937]