This is a copy of the letter I sent them.  I also enclosed a super
cute picture of Snoopy playing with Mopsie our ShihTsu.  If we are not
vituperative and flood them with pix of ferrets and other animals and
children together, perhaps it will make a diff??
June 1, 1995
The Morning Show
CBS Television
524 W. 57th St.
New York, NY  10019
Good Morning!
    I am so sorry that you presented such a totally biased view of
what can be a marvellous pet, namely domestic ferrets.  Irresponsible
pet owners, whether the pet is a dog, cat, snake, guinea pig or
ferret, can create a problem either by abusing the animal so it
becomes defensive (fear-biting is a major dog problem) or by refusing
to accept responsibility for supervising and caring for the animal.
    I know many ferrets and ferret owners and have had one myself
since February of this year.  Most ferrets are real softies and are
more fun than you can imagine.  My ferret, Snoopy, is a castrated,
descented sable male, who right from the start accepted and loves our
Siamese cat, Shihtsu dog and Border Collie.  In fact, they all play
together.  I am enclosing a photo of this activity.  I have Angora
rabbits for spinning wool and many domestic poultry.  Snoopy has shown
interest in the birds and the rabbits, but no aggression.  In fact,
most ferrets would have great difficulty in surviving outside of their
homes because of their overly trusting nature.  Their instincts have
been blunted by 3000 years of domestication.
    I feel that all pets should be spayed or neutered.  It improves their
disposition as a rule and prevent unplanned reproduction.  Also, the
question of feral populations becomes moot if all pets are neutered.
    I would like to visit California, but do not want to spend money in a
state with such a regressive pet policy.  Just remember, 47 states have
decided that ferrets are a domestic, not a wild animal, and allow them
with varying degrees of restrictions.  The potential for injury, wildlife
depredation and livestock damage is so exponentially greater ever for
cats than for ferrets, that I cannot understand your presentation in the
slightest.  I fear it reeks of the rankest yellow journalism.  Oh well,
the Today Show is fairer in coverage of events anyway.
 
                    Sincerely yours,
[Posted in FML issue 1212]