I understand the frustration and anger the lawyer felt, but was concerned
that he chose to behave with physical aggression instead of calling the
local branches of humane groups such as the ASPCA and American Humane
Societies which have a history of prosecuting these cases, then I wondered
after he mentioned being a lawyer if perhaps he was aware of local (city,
county, state) problems prosecuting such cases where he is and if this
contributed.  If so, here's a WONDERFUL WAY HE CAN SAVE MANY, MANY ANIMALS:
by doing pro-bono work for the two groups mentioned earlier or other humane
groups in the area which go after animal abusers.  Get strict laws in place
and help to prosecute!  The action taken helped one ferret (with some nasty
consequences) but didn't even close that particular place down (which
working with humane groups and your state officials may have done --
especially since you said that he had a fish store with one ferret for sale
but many states require specific permission and licencing for selling
mammals in stores); why not do what you are trained to do and help
innumerable animals at once?
 
Heard from a friend who is active in cat FAQs work that some of them are
going with RECORDING the instructions and offering auditory information as
well for people who can't read effectively.  We'll have to see how well
that works for them.
 
Queensland:  What about importing from other countries to which the local
officials may have fewer objections just to get the ball started?  For
instance, would they object to Japan or Britain as sources?  What about a
letter campaign from Australians to let them know that widening the genetic
pool for the health of the animals is desired?  It may be that once they
find they aren't seeing problems from a modest effort that it might be able
to be expanded.
 
Oh, an addtion to the talk on Compounding Pharmacies for those who need to
give meds which would otherwise taste worse: Belvidere does ship and their
800 number is 1-800-322-1302.  Only their local number was given before.
 
Keep these websites handy for references and also use them to link to other
pages which will interest you:
 
1. http://www.ferretcentral.org
2. http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html  with info on getting help from
   Bruce Williams for consultation in case you are interested on difficult
   cases at http://www.afip.org/ferrets/webconsults.html
3. http://www.netfopets.com/starferrets.html
[Posted in FML issue 2597]