PINK platinum???  are you serious???  The only "pink" ferrets I have ever
seen are those that are bald from adrenal disease.  I thought we were
trying to steer away from breeding "for" color.  Not trying for unusual
ones.  Breeding for color is something that has ruined more species of
animals.  For example, check out the Doberman Pinscher Club's Operation
White Out page http://www.dpca.org/opwhiteout.html .  These are dogs were
selling back in the 80's and early 90's as "rare" white Dobermans for up to
$2500.  Some are still selling them and the dogs are not temperamentally
sound.  One of our clients bought one for $1500 last year.  Several months
ago we had to euthanize it for viciously biting one too many times.
Reputable Dobe breeders worked hard for years to breed for good
temperaments.
 
Unfortunately, people fall for stuff like this all the time.  They rarely
stop and think, or do some research first.  Rare or unusual looking
animals, they just have to have them at any cost.  A few months later they
are in a vet's office with all kinds of medical problems, yelling at some
receptionists about their bill which they think is unfair because they paid
so much for the pet.  Not the vet's fault.  Many wind up being dumped or
neglected because the people no longer want to spend money on them.
 
If we forget genetics and color for a second, there seems to be another
aspect that is being overlooked.  Lately on the FML there has been a
shelter count for an entirely different reason, but it came with perfect
timing.  It should be an eye opener.  Just at first glance, not even going
into detail (I am sure there were plenty I missed) in just 10 shelters
there were 419 ferrets waiting for homes.  That was not including the....
need home for my ferrets, no longer have time, can't keep etc........
posts.  That is a LOT of ferrets waiting for homes.  It is heartbreaking.
We had no less than 8 calls to our office this week wanting to drop off
ferrets or asking for the shelter list.  A friend just rescued one from a
pet store and 5 from the SPCA last week.  She had 6 turned in the prior
week.  The question here is do we really need to continue to breed ferrets
in such great numbers?  All of those kits produced will one day become
adult ferrets......how many will still be wanted???  Religion has nothing
to do with it.  Being professional could, if you are in an animal oriented
profession.  Being rich, and/or having hired help just gives a better
advantage, and even that depends on the kind of help you hire.  It doesn't
guarantee anything.  Wasn't there some prominent professional sports figure
who is rich and had hired help that was SUPPOSED to be taking care of his
ferrets mentioned on this list...... his ferrets were picked up by a
shelter because they were being neglected?
[Posted in FML issue 3211]