[2 posts, parts 1 and 2, combined into 1. BIG]
 
I apologize for the late addition of this post, but it needed some
polishing (probably still does).  Also, Millie Sanders (FML #1998-2386;
 Subject: Marshall's) - it was good to hear.
 
>From:    Bill May <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Article of interest
>Just thought some of you may be interested in this article I came across
>on PETA's homepage:
 
I don't even know where to begin.  PETA ... FML not a place for that
discussion.
 
>Marshall Farms' Dirty Secret
 
>In advertisements for Marshall Pet Products, the company claims it "...
>cares as deeply about your ferret's health and well-being as you do", but
>the ads most people don't see, like the ones Marshall runs in Lab Animal
>magazine, prove the ferrets and beagles they breed are nothing more than
>merchandise to them.  The following are from Marshall ads in Lab Animal:
>"All Marshall animals are raised in elevated, indoor pens that simulate
>the laboratory environment ..."
 
For starters, anyone who wants to subscribe to the appropriate journals or
magazines can read the Marshall Farms advertisements.  The advertisements
are, of course, geared to the constituency of the journal.  Afterall, you
wouldn't advertise pit bull dog toys in a ferret magazine (or maybe you
would?).  All in all, MF doesn't appear to be hiding anything in their
advertisements, only telling what is important to the readers to whom the
journal/magazine is geared.
 
Although I have no personal knowledge of MF (other then my previously three,
but now two fuzzy babes), I have seen enough labs and breeding colonies,
have a passing knowledge of the Animal Welfare Act, and USDA regulations to
say that the minimum standards which MF adheres to is considered by some
people to be quite high.  "Laboratory environments" at MF probably indicates
that the ferrets' cages are cleaned at least twice a week, litter pans
changed every day, food and water provided ad libitum.  Sounds like a
sterile environment, certainly more so than the average home.  However, it
is safer for the ferrets and provides the public with (generally) healthy
animals.  Running a business like MF out of the garage would be unethical
and inhumane.  There is just no way to keep cages and animals clean without
that some kind of "sterile" environment.
 
Having said that, MF ferrets likely get some form of environmental
enrichment, as per recent changes to the Animal Welfare Act, which may
include: special food treats, toys, or even a technician playing with them.
This type of enrichment and socialization is part of what probably makes a
MF ferret so enjoyable to have as a pet (in addition to selective breeding).
Final thought on this thread, I believe that MF must have at least one
veterinarian on staff who is available 24/7/365.  It is likely that they
have several vets who rotate their schedules, otherwise the individual
would go crazy.  These are people who care enough to research and write
books concerning the health and welfare of ferrets as pets, so we as ferret
owners can enjoy the healthy antics of our beloved little monsters.
 
>"Ferrets are less expensive to purchase and maintain.  Because they are
>small, more can be housed in a given area, allowing a dramatic increase in
>test data and sample size." "These low-cost, easy-to-handle carnivores have
>proven suitable for a broad range of pharmacological and physiological
>investigations, including pulmonary, cardiovascular and toxicology studies."
 
Absolutely true.  All of these are qualities that pertain to the use of
ferrets as research animals.  Is this really important to the FML?  Medical
progress comes with a price.  Unfortunately, part of the price are animals'
lives and cash (people's lives when therapies aren't perfected or aren't
created).  Humans use ferrets for research not because we have a right,
but because we have a need.
 
>To promote its beagles, the Marshall ad reads, "By tracking all important
>characteristics and genetic information, and then weeding out any
>undesirable stock, Marshall Farms can supply beagles ideal for research.";
>"Extensive genetic selection and a large closed colony, allow Marshall
>Farms to offer you a continuous supply of well-matched, uniform beagles
>ideal for toxicology testing, cardiovascular studies, and pharmacological
>and surgical research."
 
I don't know why this is important to the FML, afterall it is the FML not
B(eagle)ML!  Either way, it is true  and if you care to do the research,
there are valid reasons for this type of purpose breeding.
 
>RIR received a call from a whistleblower about a fire that took place on
>January 16, 1998 at Marshall Farms in North Rose,... The fire spread...
>destroying both barns reportedly all the beagles housed within.
 
>We contacted North Rose Assistant Fire Chief... but he claimed he did not
>have any information about the fire, even though his department and eight
>other Wayne County fire departments responded to the blaze and spent three
>hours putting it out.
>According to a volunteer fireman who responded to the fire, Marshall allowed
>only one reporter in the barns and refused to allow any photographs.  The
>fire is no longer being investigated by the Wayne County Sheriff's
>Department because Marshall's insurance company has ruled out arson and
>claims the fire was due to faulty equipment.
>As a result of our inquiry...USDA is investigating details of the fire for
>any evidence that would indicate violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
 
What/who is RIR?  To play Devil's advocate, how do we know that this
whistleblower didn't set the fire and there is a criminal investigation
going on?  Until some facts are known or where the presented "facts" came
from, it is just hearsay.  Let the fire fighters, insurance company, MF,
USDA, and sheriff do their jobs and stop spreading gossip and innuendo.
This is mostly a case of he (official) said one thing, but we don't believe
him, so instead we spoke to someone down the line who is probably less
informed who told us what s/he thought, which matched the conclusion we
wanted to tell everyone.  If anything actually happened, it will eventually
become public knowledge.  In addition, if you are insinuating that MF wanted
to lose all of those animals to a fire ... enough said.  Unfortunately,
fires are a way of life.  Homes burn, horse barns burn, zoos burn (Philly
Zoo 1995?, Cape May Zoo 1998).  These things are terrible, but they do
sometimes occur without some sort of conspiracy occuring (not everything is
an X-Files episode).
 
>Please don't purchase Marshall Pet Products. Send a letter to:
>the Marshalls ...
>Let them know you will not contribute to the suffering of countless animals
>in laboratories by buying their products.  Always purchase products from
>companies that don't test on animals.
 
Fine, don't buy MF products.  I can't imagine that there are many if any
manufacturers who don't use some component of their product that wasn't
tested in animals somewhere at sometime.  All of these companies that
indicate that they don't test on animals, they either pay someone else to
do it for them, use components that were already tested on animals, or use
components that were "grandfathered" and are considered acceptable because
after X number of years of use in humans or another animal, no one has had
any major complaint.
 
>[Moderator's note: Things like this get posted frequently.  I'll be limiting
>this particular article to no more than once every 3 months.  BIG]
 
Why allow them at all?  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but this
was mostly quoting from MF advertisements and insinuation.  Furthermore,
then I wouldn't feel obligated to spending half the night (now several days)
replying to them.  Stated very simply, accept animal research (in some form)
or accept slower, more expensive, less accurate medical progress.  I don't
know any scientist who enjoys animal experimentation, but I know quite a
few who feel that their work may someday help someone or someone's pet.
 
Oh well, let the FLAMING BEGIN!
 
PS.  Someone did an excellent job making a ferret head and chest.  I added
the back, legs, butt, and a tail and am using it in my signature.  I hope
you (someone) don't mind.  My weasels (Cedar and Sophie, Willow didn't get
a chance to comment) weren't impressed though.
 
******************************
Sean D. Sawyer V'00
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
 
[log in to unmask]
******************************
 
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[Moderator's note: As to why allow it at all: it's allowed because it's
about marshall Farms, a ferret breeder.  Lots of discussion takes place
here about the good and bad parts of Marshall Farms, and in the end, we
have to make our own decisions about them.  Sooner or later the debates
turn into flame wars and I put a stop to them, only top be picked up a
few months later.  But for the few days when useful info is being tossed
about, I, and many other subscribers, feel the discussions are "a good
thing".  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 2388]