Hi All,
It has been a very long time since I have posted to the FML due to very
bad health problems, but now that I am feeling better I could not help
but respong to the post regarding Petco and the halting of ferret orders
in one particular store.  I am really surprised and VERY happy to hear
that in that store they are taking action against the sale of underaged
kits.  I am so surprised to hear this becuase I was an animal specialist
and then later assistant manager for several Petco stores in the NY area.
NO manager I have ever worked under would allow the halting or slowing of
any animal sales becuase of the risk of losing sales and also the upper
management coming down on them.  Sad but true.  It would be really
wonderful if all managers would make an effort to help put an end to this
huge problem, and I hope many do, but until the big wigs in San Diego
change their REAL tune on animals..nothing will get done.
 
I was recently in the last Petco store I worked in visiting a friend
and was told that in the last two weeks they have sold 22 ferret kits.
Ferret sales equal big dollars so everyone their is encouraged to promote
ferret ownership, despite ANYTHING else....it made me sick to see those
ferrets, SO young, being pushed into the hands of anyone that will spend
the money...It really has to stop!
 
And just for the record....I was in Pet Supplies Plus last nigh getting
ferret food and happened upon their latest arrivals-no more than 6 weeks
TOPS!  And would you belive what they were feeding these babies?  Kaytee
Fiesta!!!!!  I blew a fuse and probably wasted my breath trying to talk
to the sales people who really didn't seem like they cared too much.  And
by the way, these kits are from Path Valley Farm...So it is not just a
Marshall Farm Problem at all!
 
P.S- I am going back to the Pet Supplies Plus store today to see if the
conditions for the ferrets have improved.  And I will put in another call
to their corporate offices.  Not only were they feeding them babies the
WORST food they could have, the caging was so inapropriate as well.  I
will get things changed for these litlle ones.....Now if only things
could improve for retail ferrets in general..... Kathleen
[Posted in FML issue 4622]