Hi all!
In regards to Catherine's query of "what is a shelter, and when is a shelter
a broker?", I can only give MHO. I consider a shelter any organization or
individual who will put the welfare of the animal first - whether it is the
decision to euthanize, or not do surgery, or even purchase a ferret from an
individual because they believe that it is in the animals' welfare to do so.
I have only done this three times over the course of a couple years, and
only when I believed (and I am a very cynical person) that if I did not
purchase the animal, that they would either destroy the animal, or turn it
loose. In these three occasions, I wrote them a check from my personal
account and subsequently turned the animal into the rescue for adoption. I
have convinced many others to turn the animals into us for nothing, often by
substituting a receipt for the "value" of the animal. A broker to me, is
someone who puts people who want ferrets in touch with those who have
ferrets available for adoption. Webster's defines a shelter as" a refuge,
haven; Something providing cover or protection". I think that this covers
it pretty well, don't you? Maybe shelters can be too soft-hearted, but I
think that that is not the worst thing in the world. Imagine how you would
feel if the ferret that you refused to take was killed or abused? I
wouldn't want the guilt! Most of my rescues are simply a matter of getting
the phone call, "I don't want my ferret anymore, can you come and get it?"
and doing just that. Most of the ferrets that I have taken in were not
abused, just didnt have enough attention or the owners didnt realize what
they were getting into. The abuse cases only focus my attention on why I am
doing this.
As far as the USDA is concerned, I can tell you that I did get an "official"
copy of the report against Marshall Farms. I am very like you in that I
prefer to get the info myself. I gained this copy through the Humane
Society and the Freedom of Information Act. A very powerful piece of
legislation, the FIA. You can request any non-classified reports filed by
any government agency. I sent the Humane Society of Rochester a $10.00
donation, just to get it. I consider this money well spent! I prefer to
believe what I hold in my hands in black n white about the unsanitary
surgical conditions and broken rusty wires protruding into cages than the
third- or fourth- hand reports that other USDA inspectors supposedly said
about other inspectors.
In regards to MF helping in the CA legislation effort, I am glad that they
are helping, but then again, that is purely a business decision. Don't read
any altruistic motives in this, just think about it: How many people live in
CA that would LOVE to own a ferret legally? If they enter the market first,
what an untapped market it would be! Its not that I am questioning their
motives (which I am), I am just being realistic. They have the most to gain
by making ferrets legal in CA (except all the people in CA who currently own
ferrets illegally)!
Well, thats more than I planned to say about MF, and I will not post again
about it. This is, as always, my personal opinion.
Lisa & the 18 amazing pooping machines
[Posted in FML issue 1809]
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