Yup!  Giant man eating Swedish Ferrets are overtaking the US.  Better watch
out, there is one headed your way.
 
Please excuse the sarcasm, but I think it is really important that we
carefully examine all the facts before making a blanket judgement in this
situation.
 
It is a fact that our domestic ferret is not born nip and box trained.  Just
like any companion animal, the ferret has to be taught what is correct
behavior around people.  We spend a lot of time here on the FML helping to
educate each other how to do that.
 
It is my opinion and experince (which I find shared by a lot of other
people) that MF ferrets are fairly docile overall.  This is probably a good
thing, knowing that a lot of them end up in homes with minimal ferret
familarity.
 
It is also my experince that ferrets from a private breeder are often more
mature and robust when placed in new homes.  I know for certain that many
breeders take a lot of time handling kits and ensuring that they are nip
trained and familer with people.  The new owner needs to reinforce that
training and experince for the kit.
 
I suspect that the Quality Ferrets who have been surrendered to animal
shelters, developed health problems from neglect, stocked in petstores and
generally knocked around are missing that essential training, excercise and
contact time with people.  This is a recipe for trouble!
 
Lars and Nadine have done the right thing by stopping petstore sales.
Hopefully this will give them more control over where their ferrets go as
not every potential ferret owner is a good ferret owner.  I'd like to think
that in result we see less Quality Ferrets in the shelter systems locally
and more being good ambassadors for ferrets everywhere.
 
Ann
[Posted in FML issue 2054]