Hello everyone,
 
I've been reading the posts regarding responsible and irresponsible ferret
breeding over the past few days, and thought I'd throw in my two cents.
 
Although I've never bred ferrets, don't yet own one, and have had very
little actual contact with them, I think breeding them should be treated no
differently than breeding any other companion animal.  To put it simply, the
purpose of breeding an animal should be to improve the breed/species you are
breeding.  In the case of ferrets, breeders should be trying to reduce the
rate of diseases in their animals, keep/improve temperaments, and generally
improve the health/quality of their ferrets.  Any breeder who is not
breeding with any of these goals in mind, or who is breeding purely for
profit, is probably a breeder to avoid.
 
Please keep in mind that the above thoughts are my opinions, formed from
volunteering at a city pound and seeing a horrendous amount of purebred dogs
come in and get passed up or put to sleep because they've got some sort of
health or temperament problem which prevents them from being adopted out.
If less of these animals were being bred irresponsibly, I think less would
end up in shelters and/or suffering from genetic problems.  I don't want to
see this problem become as bad in ferrets as it is in dogs (or cats, for
that matter).  If you disagree, try to keep it civil, and if I've gotten
something wrong, please correct me.  After all, I joined this list in order
to learn from people who have more experience than I do.
 
Regards,
 
Meghan
 
P.S. Thank you to everyone who responded to my questions about getting a
ferret. Your letters were very much appreciated, believe me!
[Posted in FML issue 2359]