After the past week with my constant defense of breeding, I thought I
should add the following.  Whilst I believe that small breeders as a
whole are a good thing, and should *not* be stopped, I also believe that
irresponsible breeders should be stopped as soon as possible or faster.
 
However, there are such things as irresponsible breeders.  There are people
who breed "just to see what it's like", people who breed to "make money",
people who breed just because they haven't bothered neutering their animals
and kept them together.  There are people who breed who don't know even the
basic breeding care and others who know the care but refuse to pay for it.
There are those who keep their animals in conditions a pet rock shouldn't
be subjected to, and others who would rather just dump the animals on the
nearest shelter rather than handle the responsibility of the animals
themselves.
 
These breeders should not be allowed to continue, *this* I agree with.  No,
I don't agree that people should breed to teach their children what 'life'
is about.  No, I don't agree that people should let their ferret breed
because they can't be bothered paying the vet bill for neutering.
 
I have been hearing, over the time I've been on the FML, of ferrets born
outdoors with no recourse from the weather.  I've heard of ferrets lying in
the snow, huddled together for warmth, being fed on goat food.  I've heard
of blindness in kits, jills and kits dying, kits being born deformed, and
others dying due to neglect.  I've heard miracle cases where ferrets have
survived and thrived their bad start in life, and others that were not so
lucky.
 
Breeders should be responsible.  They should be responsible for their own
animals, and for the ones they sell.  They should take care of their
animals, kits and adults alike, with a high regard for their health, and no
thought for the cost.  Many responsible breeders will suggest a shelter
before one of their own kits, especially for first time owners.  Many
responsible breeders will take their kits back, or arrange for new homes
for kits who may not be able to be cared for by their original owners.
Many responsible breeders will say 'no' to a potential owner if they don't
feel that person will be suitable to own ferrets.  Many responsible
breeders will give out information on their ferrets, sell the kits on an
alter contract unless otherwise arranged.  Many responsible breeders do
all of the above, and more.
 
If a breeder has to sell their kits or be in severe financial difficulty,
a breeder shouldn't be breeding.  If a breeder tells lies about the
background of their animals, I'd be wondering what else they're lying
about.  If a breeder sells their animals and never provides them, they
shouldn't breed.  If a breeder cannot do what is RIGHT for ferrets and new
owners alike... they are better off not breeding.  If a breeder breeds
solely to make money, regardless of the health of their animals, they are
better off not breeding.  There's nothing wrong with making money, but
there is if it's at the expense of the animals.  Personally, I have yet to
find a responsible breeder who has been able to make money from breeding.
They may exist, but I've never seen one.
 
No, I am *definitely* not saying that breeders should stop breeding.  I am
saying *irresponsible* breeders should stop breeding.  The ferrets deserve
better than that, as do their prospective owners.  One bad breeder can
easily make the rest of them look bad.  Let's hope that there aren't many
irresonsible breeders out there, and that the ones that are can quickly be
either educated, shut down.
 
Sam
 
What is a ferret shelter, and why are they around?  Where is the closest
one to you?  If you'd like to know, drop in to:
http://www.ferretfans.net
to find out!
[Posted in FML issue 2800]