I breed ferrets and I don't sell to pet stores.  I need to know where my
kits are going.  I don't sell to just anyone who wants one either.  I need
to talk to this person, know they will take care of them, know they will get
them vaccinated, spayed or neutered, etc.  I spend alot of time with
potential owners.
 
Pet stores will sell to anyone who is willing to pay the money.
 
Case in point: I had a a guy call me wanting a ferret.  We talked for a long
time, and he gave me his address to mail some info to him.  I recognized the
address as a local halfway house.  I did some calling, got in touch with his
social worker, and found out this guy had a history of abusing animals.
 
A young girl called me looking for a ferret.  One of hers had died.  She
didn't know why.  Well, the day it died, she had it outside in the sun with
no water, it was 90 degrees, no shade.  (She didn't realize ferrets can't
tolerate the heat) She lets her other 2 ferrets run loose outside and has
trouble getting them out from underneath the patio.
 
Another guy started hassling me about vaccinations - "what could you do to
me if I don't have them vaccinated?" I'll tell you what buddy - I don't sell
you one of my ferrets, that's what!"
 
Any one of these people could have bought a ferret from a pet store with no
questions asked.  I will keep all my babies before I let any of them get
into a situation like that.  Now, with the young girl, there's hope.  she
needs some major education - but she won't get it in time for the litter I
have now.  Maybe next year.
 
It's not that I think I'm better than anybody else - I have a personal
interest in my kits.  I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't do
some screening.  I can't sell them just for the money - they have to be
going to good homes, and I need to know where they are.
 
If you wholesale to a petstore, you have absolutely no control over where
they go.
 
Oh yeah - one more case - one guy wanted to "replace" the ferrets that were
taken away by animal control - his neighbor reported him hanging the ferrets
out the 2nd floor window by their tail.
 
See my point?
 
Debbie Riccio
WNYFLFA
Rochester, NY
[Posted in FML issue 1583]