>From:    Debbi Searing <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: breeding and shelters
>I know this will probably start a rash of flames and nasty emails,
 
That's okay, what's life without a little spice?
 
I've actually had this same question.  I never thought of the subject
before until I read the FML Shelter List.  I was going online and visiting
some of the web pages of the shelters, and came across one that was asking
for vet money and supplies, and then below was advertising their kits from
their breeders.
 
I tried to puzzle it out myself, wondering if they aren't getting back
ferret for ferret what they breed out?  Or if the equation is even higher?
Or was it a good thing that people with ferret knowledge were taking care
of unwanted or abused ferrets or ferrets that couldn't stay at home
anylonger.  And to be perfectly honest, I do not know what to think.
 
I have read what it is like to breed ferrets from magazines, read posts and
listened to friends.  I have heard they hardly ever make a profit, and if
they are a good breeder, don't "puppy mill" their ferrets.  Likewise, no
one EVER makes a dime on being a shelter.  But still... I can not help
seeing the end result is that you are getting back from the population what
you are putting into it, if not more.  I don't begrudge anyone a career or
the chance to make money at something you love, I just think it seems like
an endless circle.
 
I've gone both ways.  I've bought five ferrets from a pet store.  One was a
full grown adult.  I've adopted three from a shelter, and selfishly claimed
a drop dead gorgeous Cinnamon that was found by a friend on the street a
few months ago.  I've put money in a pet store's pocket, and Marshall
Farms.  I've donated to a shelter, and probably financed my vet's summer
house in France.  Out of the nine ferrers we have had, five are definite MF
ferrets, blue tattooes.  Two for sure are breeder ferrets, my friend may
even have where they came from pegged down.  Two more do not have the blue
dots, but I am not sure if they are breeders.  So I guess what I am saying
is, to date, I seem to have adopted more private breeder ferrets than MF
ferrets.
 
It seems like a situation that has a lot of pro's and a lot of con's.  I
guess in the end, all I really care about is that I hope breeder's treat
their stock responsibly, and that shelter operators love the unwanted ones
until they get new homes.  I guess how they get to that loving home doesn't
really matter.
 
  Julie
[Posted in FML issue 2959]