Just thought some of you may be interested in this article I came across on
PETA's homepage:
 
Marshall Farms' Dirty Secret
 
Gilman and Ina Marshall began Marshall Farms over fifty years ago, breeding
and selling ferrets for pets.  Today, Marshall Farms sells its own line of
pet food but is also a major supplier of animals for experiments, breeding
thousands of beagles and ferrets every year.
 
In advertisements for Marshall Pet Products, the company claims it "...
cares as deeply about your ferret's health and well-being as you do", but
the ads most people don't see, like the ones Marshall runs in Lab Animal
magazine, prove the ferrets and beagles they breed are nothing more than
merchandise to them.  The following are from Marshall ads in Lab Animal:
"All Marshall animals are raised in elevated, indoor pens that simulate the
laboratory environment ..."; "Ferrets are less expensive to purchase and
maintain.  Because they are small, more can be housed in a given area,
allowing a dramatic increase in test data and sample size." "These low-cost,
easy-to-handle carnivores have proven suitable for a broad range of
pharmacological and physiological investigations, including pulmonary,
cardiovascular and toxicology studies." To promote its beagles, the Marshall
ad reads, "By tracking all important characteristics and genetic
information, and then weeding out any undesirable stock, Marshall Farms can
supply beagles ideal for research."; "Extensive genetic selection and a
large closed colony, allow Marshall Farms to offer you a continuous supply
of well-matched, uniform beagles ideal for toxicology testing,
cardiovascular studies, and pharmacological and surgical research." RIR
received a call from a whistleblower about a fire that took place on January
16, 1998 at Marshall Farms in North Rose, New York.  The fire began in one
barn and spread to a second barn, destroying both barns and reportedly all
the beagles housed within.
 
We contacted North Rose Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Wigfield for information
on the origin of the fire and total loss of lives, but he claimed he did not
have any information about the fire, even though his department and eight
other Wayne County fire departments responded to the blaze and spent three
hours putting it out.
 
According to a volunteer fireman who responded to the fire, Marshall allowed
only one reporter in the barns and refused to allow any photographs.  The
fire is no longer being investigated by the Wayne County Sheriff's
Department because Marshall's insurance company has ruled out arson and
claims the fire was due to faulty equipment.
 
As a result of our inquiry, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is
investigating details of the fire for any evidence that would indicate
violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
 
Please don't purchase Marshall Pet Products. Send a letter to:
the Marshalls
R.D. 1, Box 91
North Rose, NY 14516
fax: 315-587-2109
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Let them know you will not contribute to the suffering of countless animals
in laboratories by buying their products.  Always purchase products from
companies that don't test on animals.
 
[Moderator's note: Things like this get posted frequently.  I'll be limiting
this particular article to no more than once every 3 months.  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 2384]