Hi everyone,
First thanks to all who emailed such wonderful supportive letters!  I love
you all and will respond personally ASAP.  I want to save time and space
so.... I'm sorry to anyone I offended, first of all I didn't mean any of
don't love your ferrets, when i said "if you love ferrets" I didn't mean it
with a ?, I'm not a writer, and I guess grammar isn't my forte.  I have had
lots of letters of support on this matter.  Let me say I have also been
guilty of breeding, once, for the experience, and I will be responsible
for these guys for the rest of their lives, as I altered and kept them all.
I received 3 unaltered females and two sterile hobs, from a throw away
breeder.  (I became an unofficial rescue, out of need).  I didn't have the
money to alter them, but thought I could save it up by next season, and
hoped the sterile hobs were enough (i know, dumb) well...3 more litters,
this took me up to 26!!  I wanted to keep them all, and would have hadn't I
found a better solution, since I am moving, and as of now, I have to travel
often till we find a house, boarding is too much $$.You may remember my
plea for help here.  Julie Fossa and Michelle of Ohio, stepped in and had a
better solution.  I now have 12.  Anyway, I will always feel responsible
for these guys, and feel sick when I think of them because I failed them.
I didn't ever think I'd make money, and i do realize the expenses.  Why do
you breed then?  For the benefit of the breed?  These little souls can't
help where they are born, from Marshal farms or at a breeder, they all need
homes, and there is no difference in their ability to be loving pets,
regardless of genetics.  Beauty IS only skin deep, ESPECIALLY in animals.
I've received lots of agreement from people who say "how can they keep
breeding?" over 100 so far, but they are so afraid of flames.  So I say
lets not debate, but think of a solution, some suggest if you breed, you
also shelter.  For every kit you bring into the world, take in an unwanted
fuzzy and share the responsibility.  Or another suggestion, we have a self
imposed breeding boycott, every breeder commit to skipping a season ( I
wouldn't suggest sterile hobs), make the year 2000, the year of ferret
control.  Start a small group of proven responsible breeders, (a club) who
will self monitor the output, and, sponsor a shelter.  The value of a
ferret has plummeted (sp) over the past year, we have to do something.  I'm
sure MF (industrial breeders) have noticed and anyway, we are not competing
with them nor can we control them.  $$ is their motive.  But since ferrets
are such special pets, I'd like to think their owners are very special
people, so lets prove it by not letting them overpopulate, and become the
first, second, or third most unwanted pet in America.  We can DO something
about it, and I know the heart is willing.  Please post any other
suggestions, or solutions, anonymously if you are afraid of flames........
 
LOL to all.....no offenses to anyone...........
Love, Debbie
[Posted in FML issue 2790]