To:    John King <>
Subject: Public reactions to ferrets
 
>>there are other reactions that are more frustrating and I would like some
help in learning how to deal with them<<
     First off, when you go out in public, make sure you are wearing a shirt
with a picture of a ferret on it and an easy to read "cute ferret phrase".
Then people will realize it is a ferret, not some ohter animal.
 
>>ferret who had "cornered" the toddler and was attacking it.  What do you
say to this?<<
    I would say, "It sounds to me like they shouldn't have a ferret - here's
my card, pass it on to them and ask them to call me if they would like to
give the animal up for adoption."
 
>>Before long you will hate them."<<
    My answer, "I don't think so, I've had ferrets for __ years and have had
as many as __ at a time, and I'll always have room for more.  Ferrets are
like potato chips, you can never stop at just one."
 
>>How can so many people be so wrong?<<
    Well, first off, let's look at the environment - a Farmer's Market brings
out the seediest people to sell their things to make a quick buck.  Animals
there are usually not looked at as lives, but as something to sell, to get
rid of, usually as quickly as possible.
 
    Do you get the same questions and ignorance at the local park or pet
shops you might visit?  Is there a club in your area?  Do you want to pass
out club cards or literature to help educate?  And the really BIG question -
where are you????
 
Pam Grant
Shelters That adopt & Rescue Animals
[Posted in FML issue 1195]