I am not understanding why people are focusing exclusively on Marshall
Farms.  Yes, what they do is upsetting to me BUT there are plenty of others
out there that practice the same thing (early surgery, poor breeding,
etc...).  Is the reason people focus on Marshalls is because they are so
well-known?  I am confused.  Marshalls is not the only problem!
 
Awhile back, I posted about Triple F and the problems I experienced with
them shipping ferrets FAR TOO EARLY to Petco.  Now the Petco in my area has
switched back to Marshalls (oh great).  I had talked to the Triple F owner
on the phone and found that he knew very little.  You can probably go to
the archives to find my post - it was long so I am not going to "re-hash"
it (as some would say).
 
I think it is near impossible to get everyone in the US to quit buying and
making these large farms profitable.  The pet stores perpetuate the problem
but as long as people continue to purchase from them, this will also
continue - supply and demand.  We as a ferret community have created this
problem, so now, what do we do?
 
I would like to hear Zen's reply to the question asking if he would sell
his ferret kits for lab research.  That was a very good question.  I know
that the breeders that I know, could never do this.  The ferrets they
produce are not considered "merchandise".
 
Perhaps we should stop talking about the farms BUT it does educate
"newbies" that come to this list and just maybe, next time they will go
to a shelter to adopt a farm ferret in need or maybe they will go to a
breeder.  So, in my opinion, these debates do help the situation in some
aspects.
 
Animals are used for testing in many different labs.  Marshalls is not the
only supplier of animals.  What about all the dogs, cats and monkeys that
are used?  Have we lost sight of this?  I agree, some testing is necessary
but I am against what I deem useless such as testing cosmetics and other
superficial garbage.  We must use animals to test many diseases (upsetting
as it may be) because I do not see humans lining up to be lab animals.  I
hate it, but it is necessary.  That is our advantage as the human species.
 
I will not respond to flames but if you care to have a civil disagreement
privately, I will try to see your point of view.  There are two sides (or
more) to every issue.
 
Take care all~
[Posted in FML issue 2961]