Laura - another criticism of the "convenience" ferret is that the
descenting can cause collapse of the rectum later in life. There are
also issues of genetics, where all the females are bred with a
few males. The major farms we are familiar with run very closed
communities.
 
Some might also question the destruction of females at the end
of their breeding "careers." Did you ask the folks in Illinois
about this? Bet the pet store doesn't know that Marshall destroys
the jills around 4 years of age. Or that most of Marshall's ferrets
are for research (around 70%) and they don't really understand
why ferrets are owned as pets anyway. (We have a source on this
info if you want to contact him yourself).
 
Commercial ferret farms are part of a commodity system where the
end users (purchasers in a pet store) frequently are not given
education on the ferret. I personally support the small breeder
concept with a contract between breeder and buyer. Pam Grant of
the adoption shelter PET PALS in Virginia showed us her contract
and my wife now uses this for adoptees. I would be happy to e-mail
a copy if you like.
 
Chip Gallo, Action Comm Research
Producer, LIVING WITH FERRETS video
Founder, Montgomery Ferret Club
Founder, FERRET EXPO championship ferret show
[log in to unmask]  [log in to unmask]  CIS: 76376,3147
 
[Posted in FML issue 0367]