Bryan says:
> This, I believe, is an unanswerable question.
 
Actually, there is an answer I think: because it makes us feel frustrated
and ashamed and sickened and incredulous that some members of our species
are so neglectful or thoughlessly cruel to helpless innocent creatures, and
because we often feel so powerless to make any headway against such a huge
and widespread problem.  Taking the ethical high ground is small comfort
when you're looking into the eyes of a creature in distress.
 
>I went into the petstore today to get some food for my critters.  So
>NATURALLY I went over to check on the ferrets.
 
It's a small thing I guess, but part of what I do is *never* buy *anything*
at a place that sells ferrets, cats and dogs, and I try to convice anybody
who will listen to only buy at pet *supply* stores.  I won't give those
places my support in any way.
 
Having said that, I have to shamefully admit that my ferrets are from pet
stores (not to imply that they aren't wonderful fuzzies!), and I broke my
rule and bought them because at the time I was not aware that there was such
a thing as a "reputable ferret breeder" and I *really* wanted ferrets in my
life.  Not a good excuse, but I guess we all make mistakes.
 
Now that I know about breeders and rescues, I would never give another pet
store my implied approval and support, and I have become just as eager to
inform people I meet about good ferret sources as I have always been about
recommending good dog sources.
 
Of course I still walk into pet stores to look at the ferrets and puppies
and kittens, even though I see things that break my heart, even though they
are not *legally* abusive or neglectful (such as keeping puppies *alone* in
small cages with wire bottoms and very little human contact, aaaargh).  Once
in a while, if no staff are too close, I might talk to my friends in a loud
whisper so that the other shoppers can eavesdrop.  I'll mention how bad it
is to get a pet there and how easy it is to find a good breeder or rescue
and how inflated the prices are at a pet store, not just on the animals but
also on supplies...so many people *just don't know*
 
So did you do the right thing?  Well, obviously you didn't do the best thing
for *that* ferret at *that* particular moment but I have to believe that
taking the long view, while so much harder to do, is important in stopping
this sort of crap permanently.  Pet shops have been getting away with
causing people to buy out of pity for waaaaaay too long, and as long as it
works, they have no reason to stop.
 
And of course you will do the right thing by calling the ASPCA and they will
make sure that the poor ferret does not have to go another day without
proper care, so for that fuzzy at least, you *will* have made a difference,
even though you didn't take him home yourself, and that is something to feel
good about.  And I am sure the pet store will clean up it's act to at least
a tollerable level, at least for a while.
 
I would also talk to the manager and tell him or her exactly what I think of
his/her staff and their actions, exactly what I think about him/her for
allowing it to happen and also let him/her know that because of this
horrible neglect, you and anybody you can convince will not buy anything
more from that store.
 
I guess there are lots of other things you could do, depending on what kind
of energy and time you have to devote to it.  You could start up a breeder
referal service.  You could think of some way to promote education about
proper care and good sources.  Distribute informational flyers, posters or
booklets!  Start or join a club in your area devoted to ferret education.
Start a petition to make the sale of animals in pet stores illegal.  Stand
outside the pet store and tell the story of the poor ferret to people about
to walk in ;-)
 
I wish I knew what to write to make you feel better.  The best I can tell
you is that I believe you *did* do the "right thing" and I understand how it
made you feel and it makes me cry too.
 
Valaria
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[Posted in FML issue 1828]