>From:    Tatia Johnson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Melissa's MF post
>I just wanted to respond to Melissa's post about Marshall Farms and the
>warranty cards.
 
Your two out of four is similar to ours.  Two out of three, the first almost
nine years ago.  Not a "new thing".  Never got a booklet though its been
about four years, the booklet might be newer than the green cards.  POInts
out strongly that the problems in tracking can be from the store or
wholesale not from the ranch.
 
>From:    "Preisig, Kylie KE" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: MF - Testing the theories
>There have been some surveys going around about ferret health and adrenal
>disease haven't there?  Would it be possible to use the results of these
>work out the expected rate of adrenal problems in early alters/ late alters?
 
Those were surveys meant to prove fault and suspect that if those numbers
were used too small a sample set would be used.  The higher the percentage
expected the lower the sample size would have to be.  They can be used as a
starting point but surveys run like these were tend to mostly get biased
(statistically not bigotry) toward the "bad" result or in this case more
cases reported than actually happened.  The same sponsors have run a survey
on vaccine reactions where there is a controversy if large amounts of data
were dropped that would have completely changed the results.  The data
dropped was ours.
 
>From:    Chris and Tara Palaski <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Reply about my opinion on Marshall Farms.
 
It wasn't me that it would appear nasty to.  I have no connection to MF.  If
Marshall wasn't apparently monitoring this list it would be a place to vent
but you have to be careful of where you blow off steam.  If I believed that
what was being said was the truth I too would be angry.  But since it
doesn't match what I've seen for myself I'm not.
 
Marshall does seem to really be trying to resolve the retired breeders
issue.  When they do they will have removed one of the thing I object to.
They seem to have moved the age of altering and shipping up from just a few
years ago.  This is to help the pet stores as they have always said its
easier to sell small young "cuter" kits than older ones.  The long term
medical effects probably aren't known all that well and this is my other
main objection.  Hey if they are listening - I'll reiterate my problems with
them.
 
>"early kill"
 
That term is so colored by emotion to lose its real meaning.  Marshall will
retire their breeders when they lose productivity - this isn't early in
their eyes.  Any animal put to sleep is an "early kill".  It can apply to
medical cases as well.  Marshall might not like the term "kill" instead of
"put down" or "euthanize" but those are synonyms.  The added "early" is the
emotional term that makes the meaning get fuzzy.  Its not the "kill" term
that is a problem just that added term "early" that depends upon your point
of view.  We agree that this is an issue that we would like to see resolved.
Marshall is trying some things.  The current shelter "non-" system could not
absorb the numbers that are reputed to be involved.  If it was 10,000
ferrets a year that might more than double the current shelter load.
Haven't many already pointed out how overwhelmed they are already?  The
donations to vet training programs is a darned good idea.  Ferret gets to
live and gets the needed surgery.  Costs are reduced for the schools,
ferrets are more visible in the schools, Marshall might get a "tax" break,
win-win-win.
 
Adjectives and adverbs can really cause you trouble when not chosen with
extreme care sometimes.
 
We do not consider you "adversaries" especially as you seem willing to
modify your point of view with new data.  We agree on not liking the fate
(often death) of retired breeders.  Some have escaped death by going off
with employees or the like for years.  Hopefully more can be saved through
new programs - eventually all.
 
If the fate of retired breeders is important than we hope you agree that
they are looking for answers.  Makes me happier for sure.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1993]