I hesitate writing this because I'm not sure what anyone can do, but
if I don't, more and more ferrets will continue to be abused.

As I have 8 ferrets, 2 cats, and 2 dogs, I have spent lots of money at
PetSmart. As of today's experience, I will no longer shop there.

Probably 6 weeks ago I was in the store and they had 2 ferrets. After
finally finding someone to help me, I asked to hold them. The cages are
made of plexiglas and opens from the back. No one can touch or easily
access the ferrets. The sales person immediately said "do you know
anything about ferrets?" I assured her that I do and she opened the
cage and took out one of the ferrets. I was told that he has had
several homes because of his biting problem. And, yes, I was bit, and
he held on, and drew blood. The store manager was there who told me he
doesn't bite the employees and confirmed that he has bit many people.
I told him that it wasn't right that this ferret had been sentenced to
a cage for life and had no future because of his bad habit because of
neglect. One of the sales people had said that he had been teased a
lot, too. I then told the manager of a friend of mine who would take
the ferret (who had been named Spanky). This is no life for a ferret
and I don't understand why they would continue selling ferrets who
never get attention, are teased, and never get handled except putting
in another cage to clean the cage.

I gave him the name of the friend and they had a conversation about his
getting a forever home. My friend did call and they spoke. She told him
she wouldn't pay for a ferret because there are so many ferrets that
are thrown away and already in need of a home. He said he would have
to speak with the home office and see what he could do. He would call
her in a few days. Toward the end of the week, she hadn't heard from
him so she called and he told her that one of the employees had taken
him home. Well, that was good, at least he wouldn't get the abuse of
no attention and being teased, and possibly killed because he bites.

A few weeks later, I was in the store and thought that one of the
ferrets in the cage looked a lot like Spanky, but I was in a hurry and
didn't stop to inquire. After all, the manager had said he had gone to
a home.

Well, today, I did have time. The cage was being cleaned and they were
back by the fish tank in a cage that said something about not putting
fingers in cage because of biters. There were 3 ferrets in the cage
and a smaller girl was getting picked on. I knocked on the cage and it
stopped. When an associate came over I asked if these ferrets were
biters. She informed me that all 3 were. I also asked about the white
faced one who she said was a big biter and had been returned from
several homes because he's a biter. She said "he even has a name, his
name is Spanky". She also informed me that about everyone there had
been bit by him and one of the guys who works there teases him all the
time. He one day he had blood running from his arm from several bites
and she thought it was funny because he deserved because of his
teasing. I then asked if the manager was there.

I asked the manager (named Geoff) why he told my friend that Spanky had
gotten a home, when he didn't. He said "he keeps getting returned". I
reminded him that my friend was willing to take him, but was told he
had gone home with an employee. He denied that, because they're not
allowed to do that, send ferrets home with employees. I told him how
cruel this is to the ferret and that they not only have 1 biter, but
now there are 3!!!!!! My friend had been willing to give Spanky a home
and that he was dishonest about what happened to them.. I also said
that none of the 3 will EVER get a forever home and how was that
acceptable. He told me that they were there to make money, because they
are a business. I asked him how he could make money on ferrets who bite
and will continually be returned? Where is the profit there? He told me
he didn't have time to talk to me about giving away ferrets.

It was then that we walked away from our fully loaded cart of dog food,
cat food, cat litter, yesterday's news, etc.

I don't know what to do. I am so very upset about this and don't know
where else to turn. I know other ferret people would be the ones to
ask. And so this is my story. This isn't the first time I've spoken to
them about their ferrets and their not getting attention, so had kind
of quit going there for a while. I was always told that they got to
run each day and had been given attention. I now know that the only
attention they get is from going from cage to cage. My husband would go
instead of me so I wouldn't have to see them. But, I have this problem
to giving them my hard earned money when they don't really care about
the well being of God's little creatures.

They do good in having adoptions for cats and dogs from rescues. I used
to help with a ferret rescue that used to go there...until ferrets were
added to their PRODUCTS FOR PURCHASE. Why can't they be happy selling
the food, the beds, cages, litter, collars, etc. I just can't
understand why they need to sell ferrets!! It would be a different
story if they actually cared about their well-being, let them run, be
handled, etc. It is just so very hard to accept.

My problem now is where to go to buy Yesterday's News. Does anyone have
suggestions on that? There will be a new PetSmart very close to my home
within the year. How can I help the decide NOT to sell ferrets? I would
like to spend my money there, but can't in good conscience if they
still have ferrets. I maybe need to have contact with them before it's
open and express my concern.

I'm sorry that this is such a long post, but didn't know how to
condense it. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do?
 
Connie Yeager
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[Posted in FML 5642]