Dear fellow ferret lovers:
 
I have been reading, with interest, the debate regarding whether or not
individuals should continue to breed ferrets.  First of all, let me say
that I think this is a very healthy debate topic.  Second, I don't wish to
insult anyone, so if I inadvertedly do, please tell me privately.  Also
note that I know nothing about Marshall Farms or Hagen and their breeding
practices.  Now onto my opinion.
 
Point number 1: If we want to continue to keep ferrets as pets, someone
must continue to breed them.  Otherwise we would not have anymore ferrets
available.  Thus a blanket moratorium on breeding is not a valid request
unless you believe ferrets should not be kept as pets in the future.
 
Point number 2: If too many people breed ferrets, we will have too many
ferrets and not enough homes.  This will result in ferrets being needlessly
euthanized like dogs and cats.
 
Thus, we must find a happy medium.  Now, what kind of breeding should we
encourage?  ie. large scale operations or small scale operations?  Maybe
we should look at the dog world for help in answering this question.
 
Where is the worst place to buy a dog?  A petstore!  For decades dog
lovers have discouraged purchasing dogs at petstores for several reasons:
1) Petstores usually buy their dogs from either "backyard breeders" or
   wholesalers who all to often get their puppies from "puppy mills."
2) Petstores do not know the health (genetic) history of the dog's family.
3) Petstores do not know the temperment of the puppies' parents, which can
   affect the temperment of the puppy since there is a strong genetic
   component to temperment in dogs.  Thus purchasing dogs from petstores
   encourages bad breeding by giving bad breeders a market for their
   animals.
 
Where are the two best places to buy dogs?  Breeders or shelters!
 
1) If you want a mixed-breed, most dog lovers head to the nearest shelter
   or pound.
2) If you want a purebred puppy or purebred rescued adult, most dog lovers
   head to a respectable and responsible breeder.
 
Most responsible dog breeders also help rescue the breed of dog they breed.
A responsible breeder learns about the genetics disorders/diseases/problems
of their breed and tries to avoid breeding animals with these problems or
animals that carry genes for these problems.  There are tests that can be
done on the parents to determine if they carry genetic components for some
of these genetic disorders.  Good breeders have these test performed and
can give you a detailed medical history of the dog's family.  Good breeders
also let you meet the puppy's parents to give you an idea of the puppy's
future temperment.  Good breeders do not sell to petstores.  Good breeders
agree to take to dog back if you can no longer care for it.  Good breeders
help in rescue operations for their breed.  In conclusion, my perception of
the prevailing views of the dog world is that if everyone bought their dogs
from either shelters or responsible breeders, we could put the puppy mills
and irresponsible breeders out of business.
 
Maybe the ferret world should learn a lesson from the dog world and only
purchase their ferrets from responsible breeders or shelters...never from
petstores or people who do not seem to be responsible breeders (a personal
judgment call).
 
Thank you so much for listening to my opinion.  Please keep this debate
from sinking into name-calling and personal insults like every debate on
this list since I joined 3 weeks ago.
 
Deb Adams
[Posted in FML issue 2794]