>From:    Karri Knutson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: New Addition
>Do they have to be descented?  I mean is the scent really bad?  I dont know
>if i should bother with it.
 
Descenting is an expensive waste of money.  It will cost more than a neuter.
You will normally only get an occaisinoal "poof" that quickly disapates if
the new boy gets his dander up.  There is a change to the aroma from the
litter box.  Minor.
 
>From:    "Rudich, Robert A" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Why not go Galactic?
 
Great to see you back posting!
 
>From:    Melissa Litwicki <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: MF questions and postulations
>If it's a question of trust and familiarity, I will see if being w/the AFA
>might be of benefit.  It does sound like they have had friendly contact
>with MF.
 
Friendly and in tone.  Yes.  Very professional.  The AFA is not a supporter
of Marshall Farms but in my talks with various AFA officers they understand
the reality of the situation is that at this point Marshall Farms is "bigger"
than the rest of us so we have to work with them - like it or not.  Everytime
Sally Heber talks to us about this issue we joke about the money AFA
supposedly gets from Marshall - just waiting for the first cent to show up.
 
Did you meet Sally when she was up there for the show?
 
>From: Sally Heber <[log in to unmask]>
>Hi Melissa - You could direct your correspondence to Pete Reid.
 
Pete Reid talks with others in the ferret owning community that we've also
talked with.  We haven't talked to him.  Its another guy that gives us our
kickbacks for talking so nice about Marshall and calling them such wonderful
things - OF COURSE I'M KIDDING!
 
>I think altering the tattoo might not be a bad idea.  It certainly doesn't
>involve buying more equipment.
 
I think the dots are done with a simple needle type tattoo but to add a
"code" would take a simple and inexpensive device.  It is a bit extra cost
(with time additional as well) but if we approach nicely they are far more
likely to concede and agree to the extra.  Remember about flies, vinegar and
honey.
 
>From:    "Ilena E. Ayala" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Marshall Farms tracking ferrets
>Just a thought...if Marshall microchipped the ferrets, at their site, there
>would be no responsibility for the pet stores to track them.
 
Microchips cost several dollars.  Tattoos cost cents.  Chip readers cost big
dollars.  Tattoo readers are usually standard equipment on people.  <grin>
The chipping would probably nearly double MF's costs.  It would be much less
than $50 but the wholesale price for ferrets is still in the $60 to $70
dollar range.  The chip would take all the profit and then some.  Now if we
could figure out a way for them to tattoo bar codes.... <just kidding> You
know we don't mean to pick on you right?  You yourself guessed it was
possibly too expensive and we agree.  We really wanted to use that joke
about bar codes.  We also admit it wasn't that funny.  Though try to picture
ferrets war dancing across price scanners like those at supermarket check
outs...
 
The best approach we can come up with is one or two character "batch codes"
with letters tattooed instead of dots at alter and descent.  This kind of
tattoo could be done with what looks like a crimper (or large pair of
pliers).  But would it have to be done by a notary?  Okay another bad
attempt at a joke since these things also look kind of like the seals of
notaries.  I get tired of being the serious rational one around here....
Never that way in person or in other areas.  Hmm... wonder why that is...
 
bill and diane
killian zen and the
art of ferrets mailto:[log in to unmask]  mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.zenferret.com/
[Posted in FML issue 1986]