>From:    Al Horne <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Acronyms and Ferret Organizations
>HSUS? LIFE? LOS? AFA? AHA? NAFA?
>What are these things?
 
Sorry.
 
Humane Society of the United States - currently dealing with lawsuits both
internal and external.  Doesn't promote ferrets but no longer actively
fights them.  Very controversial group.
 
League of Independant Ferret Enthusiasts - association of shelters and
clubs.  Sanctions shows.  Headed by Ann Davis of Virginia
 
Legion Of Super Ferrets - led by Rose Smith in Pennsylvania.
Trying to become a truly national ferret organization.  Allied for shows
with LIFE.  active in shelter and rescue.
 
American Ferret ASsociation - largest of the ferret associations in the US.
Sanctions shows.  Sponsors vet conferences.  Active in shelter work.
Active in legal issues.  President is Sally Heber or Maryland.
 
American Humane Association - most noticibly seen in overseeing animal
treatment while making movies.
 
North American Ferret Association - another aspiring national group led by
Chuck Scaggs from Virginia.
 
Yes most of the ferret groups are local to the Washington DC area...
 
>From:    "alan R. Koslow MD" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: MF and Ankle-biting
>Ferrets from MF are supposed to have HALF the life span of a respectaple
>breeder's ferrets (3-6 years as apposed to 8-14)
 
No study has ever been conducted.  Those numbers sound completely wrong on
both ranges.  Ferrets in the US tend to have life spans of perhaps 5-8 on
average.  Of couse many live longer and many live shorter.
 
>They breed brothers with sisters and moms with sons.
 
No.  They breed with a system that prevents such close matings.  It is a
randomized posibly modified line breeding.  Not tracked that closely.
 
>Their ferrets are also more inclined to health defects.
 
Maybe.  Maybe not.  No unbiased study ever conducted.  (bias isn't always
intentional in a statistical sense)
 
>I also think- even though their ferrets are poor quality- they
>have some ecelent products out there.
 
The consensus of most is that Marshall Ferrets have among the very best
dispositions.  On average they seem somewhat smaller than hobby bred
Americans but right in line with English and other European ferrets.  Since
our fisrt Marshall Famrs jill became a Supreme Grand Champion after being
shown and winning at AFA, LIFE and independant shows she was acknowledged by
"experts" as a quality ferret.
 
>I have heard you can tell a MF ferret by looking in the ears for two
>tattooed dot, and in quite a few places.  I have also heard it is a sign
>that they are nutered and desented.  Witch one is it?
 
Both.  That is how Marshall marks their kits when operated on.  Some other
breeders do the same but most are either unmarked or marked differently so
it can also be a quick check to guess on origin.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1817]