FMLers,
A very misleading article on ferrets appeared in a magazine called Jane.  A
regular feature in this magazine is a column called Deal With It, where
readers send in questions.  One section is called Animals.  In the November
1998 Deal With It column (Page 158), a reader asks if a ferret makes a good
pet (she lives in an apartment).  The answer that follows is a reply from
Ms. Ingrid Newkirk , cofounder of PETA.(BIG-this is not a post to start a
flame war over PETA, rather an appeal for people to write to Jane magazine
to ask them to correct the misinformation that was printed!).
 
So, Ms. Newkirk desrcibes the ferret in the following ways:
-"a little too endowed in the tooth department"
-"escape artists who can disappear down a toothpaste tube if you
  leave the cap off"   (I hope none of the ferrets are reading this, they
  might just try that!)
-"a rabies risk!" (although she does mention the fact that there is
  a "new" vaccine for ferrets, and a set of shots for you if they decide
  to bite you.)
 -illegal to own in New York, California, and Hawaii
 
Ms. Newkirk goes on to suggest "why pay pet -shop pimps a dime for a
designer weasel when animal shelters everywhere are busting at the seams
with adorable adoptable kitties?" She has obviously never heard of a ferret
shelter.
 
In just a few lines in a magazine, Ms. Newkirk has given ferrets a very bad
name, implying they will bite you,or disappear on you, are a high risk
carrier of rabies,and that you would be much better off with a cat.(She
forgot about mentioning the "presents they leave on the floor NEXT to the
litter box!).
 
I have written a (long winded) letter to Jane magazine, giving them facts
about ferrets, and pointing them in the right direction to search for more
information regarding the above.  If anyone would care to the e mail
address for sending letters is as follows:
 
              [log in to unmask]
 
I have also asked that they print another article, and set their readers
straight.  I hope that if they receive enough mail, they will do just that!
If you would like a copy of my letter, e mail my and I will forward it to
you.
 
My heart goes out to all who have lost a fuzzie recently, and well wishes to
all the sick little ones.  Sorry this was soooooo long!
 
Ferrety Hugs and Whiskery Kisses-
 
Tracey Goodwin
Bailey, Riley and Murphy (who want that magazine next to their litterbox!)
 
" Dream until your dreams come true." - S.Tyler
 
[Moderator's note: The last few issues of the FML have more about this. BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 2454]