Howdy everyone,
 
For the last couple of days I've been sitting back and reading all the
controversy on Marshall Farms, don't get me wrong ... I've added my 2
cents worth.  I don't want this to come across as a flame ... because
that is not it's intent.
 
I have stated that I do not agree with the testing Marshall Farms does ...
but I see MF ferrets as what they are FERRETS.  Nobody will change my mind
on that, there are also others who feel as I do.  There are also folks out
there that do not have access to the internet and FML and don't know that MF
does testing ... therefore will purchase that MF ferret.  There are folks
out there that either don't care about the testing done or feel that the
tests MF does will only aid in trying to keep our ferrets as healthy, these
folks will still purchase MF ferrets.  So, as you can see ... there will
still be a market out there for MF whether you boycott or not.  I'm not
saying "don't boycott" but while you are boycotting MF, there are also
positive things you can do to help save the lives of ferrets we do have
control over ... our own.
 
How many ferrets out there are being killed yet due to bite (or so called)
incidents?  Even in those states observing the Compendium.  As of November
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are "supposed" to be observing the Compendium
but as I've heard .... quite a few pet store Kits in New Jersey lost their
life for "supposed" bite incidents, since the Compendium has been observed.
In Pennsylvania, one ferret almost lost it's life from a bite incident.
These are only the ones we know about ... I can only imagine if there was
one there are more.  How many ferrets are being killed in Michigan yet?
What about other states?
 
This is something WE have control over ... we can help stop these killings
and have a positive impact!  We need to educate our vets, local health
departments, doctors, hospital emergency rooms, and shelters and pet shops
on the Compendium.  Ferret owners and animal lover alike need to band
together and save our ferrets from these needless killings.
 
I'm not saying ... try to educate your state alone ... use the FML to aid in
getting volunteers.  Surf ferret pages and see who is from what state and if
they are from you state ... email them and ask them to join your task, see
if they have friends and family that will help ... if you have a local
ferret shelter ... contact them and see if they are educating on the
Compendium, or if they can aid you in anyway.
 
I reside in Pennsylvania, and thought it was great that we are observing the
Compendium, and thought because my state does observe the Compendium, that
that was it.  WRONG, I adopted a ferret from my local Humane Society that
almost lost her life.  She bit me, and after her 10 days was up the vet just
wanted to kill her (treat her like a rodent).  I had to fight to stop her
from being killed.  Luckily the Humane Society called me to inform me of the
situation before she was even taken to the vet, or she would've lost her
life.  Our ferret can't do this themselves, we need to do this before it is
too late.  If it happens to you, you may not have the chance to fight.  They
may just come and seize your baby and kill it pronto ..  giving you no time
to turn around ... much less fight.
 
I am only one of a handful educating folks in Pennsylvania.  It's not an
easy task ... but thanks to Gina Hart, Sukie Crandall, Diane Rogers, and all
the volunteers we have accumulated since we've begun our task the task has
been made more enjoyable and a bit easier.  I've also made quite a few
friends that I may have never gotten to know if we wouldn't be educating
Pennsylvania.
 
If you need to have questions answered on how you can begin to educate your
state you can contact myself at [log in to unmask] or Gina Hart at
[log in to unmask], I will not give Sukie Crandall's email addy because I do
not have her permission to do so.
 
Please I urge everyone to help save our own ferrets!!
 
Thank you for your time
Robin
[Posted in FML issue 2225]