In principle, I have nothing against auctioning animals.  However...
 
1) At a horse (or other large animal) auction, the buyers are usually
professionals willing to spend a LOT of money on the future care and
training of the animal, or are purchasing food animals.  A pet store auction
is unlikely to attract purchasers with experience.
 
2) I've been to auctions, and the excitement of bidding sometimes overtakes
good sense.  Someone may get caught up in bidding for the fun of it, or just
to drive up the price for the fun of it, and be totally unprepared for the
purchase.
 
3) Many pet stores (not all, I know) do a poor enough job instructing new
owners in pet care on a one-one basis.  In an auction setting, there is no
interest in the spin-off sales (cages, feed, suppliments, etc), and no time
for proper instruction.  The staff of the store may not even be there, as
the accounting firm may have set up the auction.
 
4) The only real protection you can give a pet is value.  We sell puppies
for $250+ for two reasons:  to try to recoup some of the whelping costs and
to provide some protection.  Frankly, you are less likely to abandon an
animal worth $250 than one worth $50.  BTW - purebed dogs and cats have the
advantage of CKC/AKC registration to increase their value.  Ferrets have
only sentimental/purchase +investment value.  Yes, we have tried contracts,
buy-back agreements, and no-breeding agreements.  However, the only
effective deterent is the owner's good will!
 
So, if you see an auction, go out to offer advice (and hope the buyer will
accept it!) or to purchase yourself.  Auctioned animals are depending soley
on luck!
 
Megan and Monster
[Posted in FML issue 1564]