I read both of the postings regarding the improper reporting of ferrets
and finally I blew.  I had to lash out and respond to the incompetent
stupidity that seems to be displayed time and time again by individuals
in a position of power and/or influence.  Thus, I responded to the
article in the Ottawa Daily Times by F.  Krause [it was posted on the
FML by Melissa Smith].  For those interested, her is what I wrote:
 
This email is in response to the article on monkeypox prevention that was
written by Fred Krause [June 26th, 2003], a supposed "outdoor writer."
 
I m not sure what your exact credentials are for writing such an article
but after reading it I would have to guess that they are severely
lacking.  Many people read newspapers and unquestionably believe what
they read, thus leaving the journalist with a large responsibility to
truthfully and accurately transcribe his story.  You have most certainly
failed to do so.  The current domestic ferret is not, nor has it ever
been a wild animal.  They are as domestic as dogs and cats, if not more
so.  To include ferrets in your list of
wild-animals-turned-recently-domestic-pets is ridiculous, irresponsible
and the sign of a lazy, incompetent journalist.  For you to be in a
position responsible for passing along news, news regarding the safety
and health of individuals, makes it even more damaging, horrific and
inexcusable.  With the level of paranoia currently at such high levels,
especially in regards to one s well-being, such an error can be
devastating to those whom you have singled out and blacklisted.  Ferrets
are wonderful pets and deserve the same respect as dogs and cats.  Just
because they are relatively new as popular pets in North America does not
mean that they are new to the domestic scene.  Their original function
was as a hunter; whether it be helping their owner to capture small prey
such as rabbits or keeping barns, houses and other domestic areas free
from rodents.  Like dogs and cats, their original function is practiced
less today, converting them instead into cherished family members.
However, they are still commonly used in the UK for their initial
purpose.  While exact dating of when ferrets were domesticated is unclear
there are suggestions that they were domesticated at least 500 years
prior to cats and that man s use of ferrets can be traced back to the 4th
century (Dr. Freddie Hoffman, from the FDA Veterinarian May/June 1991 Vol
VI, No.  III).  Obviously, this is not an animal that people have only
just begun to domesticate.
 
In your benefit, perhaps you were referring to the North American
Black-Footed ferret which is wild.  They are a relative to the domestic
ferret but they are not one and the same.  Making such a generalization
would be like claming that there is no difference in keeping a wolf as a
pet opposed to a dog.  While one may have developed from the other, as
you were so clear to point out, dogs have long since been domesticated
and evolved to be a part of human life.  The same works with domestic
ferrets.  Regardless, distinction and precision is required in making
such a statement.  If the Black-footed ferret is what you were referring
to it should have been properly stated as such.  However, I fear that
your mistake was not in this nature and that indeed you were referring
to domestic ferrets.
 
I hope a proper, noticeable apology will be printed in your paper to
clarify your error as such ignorance is the very reason why some people
have problems with ferrets as pets; they perceive them to be wild animals
brought into the home even though they clearly are not.  This same
ignorance is the reason why California will not permit them to be legal
pets.  Ignorance creates nothing and destroys much.  I can t imagine that
you would want to be a part of such destruction.
 
Sincerely,
Kristen Dixie
Ontario, Canada
 
~ kristen & her DEFINITELY domesticated ferret Oscar [monster] ~
[Posted in FML issue 4192]