Dear Lisette (and Ron, too)
 
Until my BF brought me my baby from that guy who just left him there to die
it had never really hit me how irresponsible some people can be.  Pets are
a BIG responsibility and should not be impulse purchases -- which is why
I have never had a pet before now.  In the last few months I have been
extremely moved by the stories of rescue ferrets (especially in light of
the siezed ferrets of recent issues).  I don't know all that much about
ferrets in general, but I do know that it makes sense to try to find homes
for the unwanteds/unneededs/unplaceables before encouraging people to buy
animals at pet shops and (please don't flame me) breeders (I have noticed
that small breeders tend to be more concerned w/ the training, sociability
and health of their ferts, for which I commend them and would consider
purchasing from them).
 
To all the shelterers out there, I salute you, and wish I could offer to
take some of the overflow off of your hands.  I know that I will never
again consider buying an animal from a petstore (thus supporting an
industry that thinks it's okay to sell babies to inexperienced,
unknowledgeable people) when I could take in one of the little guys who
barely got a chance in the first place.  Kudos to Ron Carter for his
adoption practices, Lisette, PetsMart and other stores that only facilitate
adoption & not purchase of animals, and all the others on the FML who
genuinly care about their babies.  I hope that you will continue to
encourage people to adopt, rather than purchase.  On a side note, adoption
seems to take the "Thing" status away from the animal, allows one to see
the individuality of these wonderful creatures.
 
[CW]
[Posted in FML issue 2835]