[Part 1]
 From: john rich [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
 Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2004 12:13 AM
 To: Customer Service (SSG)
 Subject: MR. FRANCIS...
 
Mr. Francis, my name is John Rich, and I feel I must talk to you, about
"Petsmart's" 'test-marketing' of selling baby ferrets!  You probably
have, and will continue, to hear from Ferret Rescues & Shelters!
 
I have shopped with my elderly Father many times in your store in Mays
Landing, N.J., accross from the "Hamilton Mall".  Your stores have always
'stood-out' from the others, as being very humane in your practices of
selling animals, especially helping the local Humane Societies, and the
spca!  PLEASE, in light of the overflowing rescues in our area, do NOT
begin to sell kits!!  Ferrets are a very specialized pet, and "impulse
buying" of these wonderful animals is very high!  Being the special
animals that they are, there are many "Ferret Forums" on the internet,
which have live discussions, & posts for the daily issues!  MANY people,
including myself, cannot imagine your stores contemplation on this
matter!!!  "Petco", has suffered the loss of many, many ferret owners,
because the aquisition of baby ferrets, is almost ALWAYS from the big
'Ferret-Mills', like Marshall Farms, Path Valley, & triple FFF!  These
"babies" are spayed/neutered/ & DE-SCENTED, way too early than is
recognized as being correct!  They are surgically altered, for two
things, before they are even CLOSE to the recommended ages for these
procedures!!  You DO know what 'puppy mills' are, I presume, and 'ferret
mills' are just as notorious!!  Your practice of 'only' shelter dogs &
cats being displayed, is to be commended!!  BUT, any decision to sell
"baby" ferrets, instead of welcoming local FERRET RESCUES & SHELTERS
INSIDE, as with the dogs & cats, will definitely be met with a drop
off of MANY customers who own & love ferrets!!  Remember, that there
is a very large market of ferret supplies, food, toys, vitamin & coat
supplements, cages, beds, etc.....NOW being bought at your stores!!!
This will change, if your policies change for the worse!  There are
many other places to shop for these products, and 'word of mouth',
around the world on forums, WILL make people re-think their shopping
locations for these supplies!!
 
I sincerely hope that you and your corporation, will do the right thing!!
If not, for me, instead of driving 30miles to your store, my supplies can
be bought at "ZOOS", in Vineland, at the Cumberland Mall!!!  I DO NOT
shop there now, BECAUSE of their sales of 6-8week old kits!!  Locally,
"Family Pet Center" has closed up, after at least 20yrs.of animal sales,
puppies & kittens, ESPECIALLY now, before the holidays, after a boycott
about their support of 'puppy mills' & FERRET FARMS!!!!  We got along
w/o them before, and also do not NEED your wares NOW!!!  Please do some
research about these 'rescues', and come to the correct & humane decision
on this issue!!
 
monitoring the situation closely,
John Rich Vineland, N.J. 08360
<<[log in to unmask]>>
 
[Part 2]
 From: Customer Service (SSG)
 To: john rich
 Sent: Friday, November 26, 2004 3:25 PM
 Subject: RE: MR. FRANCIS...
 
Dear Mr. Rich,
 
Thank you for writing to us with your concerns regarding the sale of
ferrets at PETsMART.  We are conducting a small test of ferret sales
because our customers have expressed a demand for them and because we
believe they can make good and appropriate pets for those who appreciate
and understand how to properly care for them.
 
We recognize that bringing a ferret into a family is a significant
decision, requiring dedication, commitment and time.  We also are keenly
aware that our good name depends on two things: our ability to provide
pets that are properly bred, transported and cared for and that have a
reasonable expectation of a healthy life; and our ability to properly
inform prospective pet parents of the special needs of these pets.
That's why this test is so important.  We'll only continue if we can
prove to our customers and ourselves that we can deliver in those areas.
 
It's also why we've gone to extraordinary measures to establish a
supplier who meets our strict standards for quality, and to train our
associates so they can properly care for these pets and inform potential
customers of their special needs.  PETsMART associates are trained to
educate customers about feeding techniques, daily care requirements and
typical behavior patterns of ferrets.  And we provide a comprehensive
Care Guide to parents.  The test will help us make sure we can do all of
these things to exacting standards of quality.
 
Part of the test also is to help us better understand adoption issues.
PETsMART Charities already partners with several animal welfare
organizations that rescue ferrets, providing funding and grants to
improve their quality of life, and we continue to seek additional
partners.  Adoption remains a priority.  We believe a balance of
adoption and the responsible sale of ferrets serve the best interest
of all ferrets, our customers and the community.
 
Our customer research shows that we attract customers who think of pets
as family members and care for them accordingly.  Ferrets sold during our
test period come exclusively from our own carefully selected supplier,
are spayed or neutered, de-scented, vaccinated against rabies and have
received their first set of distemper shots.  We also will not sell them
until they're at least [12] weeks old.  As best we can, we'll be tracking
the pet ferrets we sell to better understand retention issues and the
relationship between these pets and their pet parents over time.  Once
the test is complete, we'll make a decision as to how we'll move forward,
doing what's in the best interest of pets.  We only will sell pets that
we believe make good and appropriate family members.
 
We are interested in partnering with legitimate animal welfare
organizations or ferret advocacy groups who share our desires to
properly inform customers and provide appropriate homes for ferrets.
If you belong to such an organization and would like to participate
constructively, we would be interested in hearing again from you.
Please contact our Customer Service Manager, Jim Davis, at 623-587-2513.
 
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us.
 
Sincerely,
PETsMART
 
[Part 3]
 From: john rich
 To: Customer Service (SSG)
 Sent: Friday, November 26, 2004 9:12 PM
 Subject: Re: MR. FRANCIS...
 
Thank you for your reply, but there is one thing that I am unclear
about......you say..  "...we will not sell ferrets until they are 'AT
LEAST' 12wks. old.."  Considering that your supplier is one of the big
3, (Marshall, Pathvalley, or Triple FFF), they are sold BY THESE 3 at
6to8wks. old, ALREADY SPAYED/NEUTERED, & DE-SCENTED, which is fast
becoming UNACCEPTABLE AGES for most of the ferret community!!  Are you
saying that you will purchase them, and KEEP THEM 'not for sale' till
12weeks old??  I doubt that this is the case, so I wondered HOW you
expect to follow through with your plans???
 
Sincerely, & watching closely,
John Rich.  New Jersey.
[Posted in FML issue 4709]