Mish-
 
I talked to Scott Marshall at Marshall Farms about this issue a few weeks
ago.  He told me that MF does not have a patent on the 2 blue dots, so it
is quite possible that someone/anyone can do the same thing.
 
The best way to know if the ferret you purchase is a MF ferret, is by the
paper work!  All MF ferrets sold in pet stores come with paper work and a
guarantee that they've been neutered/descented, and when they were given
their first vaccine.
 
Now, of course, if a pet store wholesales to another pet store, I suppose
that a paperwork trail could break down.  It used to be the 2 blue dots
were an excellent indication of a MFF, but apparently not so anymore.  On
the other hand, since most likely the majority of dotted ferrets are MFF,
there's a good chance that a ferret with 2 dots is a MFF.
 
It always amazes me when I go into a pet store (pretending to know nothing
about ferrets - I like to see what pet store personnel will say!) and ask
where the ferrets are from, and I'm told "I don't know."
 
Debbie Riccio
WNYFLFA
Rochester, NY
[Posted in FML issue 1265]