>From: Kate Pappas
>
>Front page article in this morning's Seattle Times, about a
>physicians' group opposed to the intubation of ferrets for training
>purposes!
>
>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2014178603_uwanimals10m.html
>
>These are "real doctors" from the Physicians Committee for Responsible
>Medicine..

These "real doctors" have presented a highly biased and inaccurate
view of the real situation.

Our shelter has worked with UW and this program for many years.
Some facts:
* Their environment has been set up and supervised by our vet. It's
comparable to how any of us care for our pets at home.
* The procedure being performed is *exactly* the same intubation which
is performed for most ferrets undergoing surgery. It is veterinary
best practices.
* The ferrets are asleep through the whole procedure, as they would be
during surgery.
* They are not used for more than 6 months.
* There is a strict limit on the number of procedures which can be
performed on each one.
* UW tries (and usually succeeds) in finding homes for the ferrets.
* If they are unable to fine homes, they come to us.
* When they do, they are in very good shape. There is NO HARM done to
them. They are among the healthier ferrets that get surrendered to us.
* They are sweet and well socialized, not at all like a ferret that's
been abused. (and we've seen LOTS of ferrets that have been abused by
"owners")

In no way is this an abusive practice, and the ferrets are none the
worse for it.

Kevin Farlee
President
Washington Ferret Rescue & Shelter

[Posted in FML 6971]