Sandi,
 
Boy!  How could I have been so ignorant!  I proved exactly what you were
saying by touting the PETCO name.  I guess I see your point.  If you're in
business, don't even think about making a profit.  Don't try to promote
your business as being responsible and ethical.  Make sure you never give
money to any group who is doing something good with or for the merchandise
you are selling (In this case ferrets).  And whatever you do, don't ever
be different then your competition.
 
>I must not have been strong enough in my statements if you took my words
>as only an "insinuation".  It's a huge part of their business plan, it's
>what their business plan hinges on.  Does anyone else get the Pet Product
>magazine?  It's directed at retailers and uses Petco as a guiding light to
>other pet stores: Associate with the shelters and animal welfare groups.
 
>   Take their brochures into your stores. Take their animals in and
>   find homes for them...your sales will soar.
 
PETCO wants to let people know these shelters and clubs exist.  PETCO wants
to help shelters relocate some of their previously neglected animals into
good homes through their own (the shelter's) screening and education
process (Never mind the fact that any animal adopted from the shelter could
have been a potential animal sale for PETCO).  So what sales will soar?
The sales of animals or the sales of residual pet products.  If they are
trying to encourage PETCO animal sales, that's a funny way of doing it.
And what kills me is, you think this is all bad.
 
"PETCO as a guiding light"  Why?  Because PETCO is making a profit by
suckering these groups in or maybe by doing what is in the best interest
for all involved.  Not mention they are doing something different.
 
>Petco is no longer selling rabbits because the rabbit community did NOT
>take their bribes.  As tempting as it is to *think* that Petco is just
>doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, it's equally ridiculous
>to think that any profit corporation with shareholders and a board of
>directors has a heart.  They have a business plan.  Petco will always sell
>ferrets thanks to the ferret people who take their money.
 
In the land of OZ I might be willing to accept your reason for why PETCO
is no longer selling rabbits.  But like you said "it's equally ridiculous
to think that any profit corporation with shareholders and a board of
directors has a heart".  They may or may not have a heart but without a
doubt they have the business's profitability and reputation in mind.  I'm
pretty sure giving money away without having some direct effect on
profitability or reputation is not in their best interest.  PETCO will
always sell ferrets if people are willing to buy them.
 
So what is your definition of the ferret or rabbit community?  Does someone
belong after they purchase or before?  My own personal definition is someone
who has an interest in the animal of choice and has done the research
before the actual purchase.  When they become part of this "community" they
are fully aware of what they are buying and who they are supporting.  These
so-called bribes to the "community" would have nothing to do with whether
PETCO would or would not sell animals.  The sales numbers are the only
thing that would influence PETCO's decision.  But if you expect everyone to
believe that the rabbit community succeeded in stopping PETCO from selling
rabbits because the "community" did not take PETCO's money.  Then you
better hang up your ruby slippers and stay right were you are!  PETCO must
have used their hearts in that decision, because they surely didn't use
their heads.
 
>Oh PLEASE! They can insist all they want.
 
Yup!  They can insist at a different level than even you, at least to me.
Their actions are proof enough.  They could easily be selling ferrets
without supporting or involving any shelters or clubs.  Many other large
pet store chains do.  They don't have to ask for input or suggestions from
us, but they have.
 
I have no first hand knowledge of any of the ferret or rabbit incidents you
have mentioned.  So I will not dispute whether or not this happened as you
described.  But if it did, wouldn't it be logical to make improvements and
correct that situation from happening again especially if you value your
reputation.  If they are doing so, then someone is listening.
 
I won't be sucked into a debate whether PETCO or any other large pet store
chain should or should not be selling ferrets.  I think that ANYBODY who
sells animals should educated and do everything possible to insure that
the animal will be loved and properly taken care of.  Those who insist on
selling animals and doing none of those things fall very low on my list.
PETCO is not doing everything I would like to see but they are at least
doing something reasonable.
 
I don't know about you, but I buy a great deal of my pet products from pet
stores.  Unfortunately many of them sell ferrets and won't even do so much
as put a show flyer up or allow us to do any kind of awareness program.  If
there was a PETCO here in Dayton they would get all my business.
 
>If you don't want a response then don't post.
 
Oh, I will debate this issue at whatever intellectual level you would like
to take it!  I always dread what I consider to be a narrow minded response
based strictly on past history or hearsay and focused from a negative point
view.  Welcome to that club, Sandi!
 
What you have experienced in the past is not what I consider an encouraging
future.  What I see and hear happening with PETCO recently is very
encouraging.  I guess a lot depends on how you are trying to make a
difference.  You can change a piece of wood by going against the grain but
it works much easier if you go with it.  Change won't come by hate letters,
threats and irrational behavior.  You can try that approach, but I think we
are heading down the right path.  Don't take my word for it, come to the
PETCO stores in Columbus, Ohio and see for yourself.  What's best for the
ferrets, isn't that what's important?
 
If any of you FMLers do come to the Ferret Extravaganza '99 show in
Columbus, Ohio on August 28, 1999.  Please remember that your attendance
and participation supports Tristate Ferret Connection (TSFC) and Heart of
Ohio Ferret Association (HOFA), two great clubs doing a lot for ferrets
and the ferret community as a whole.  All monies raised at this show will
be equally shared by TSFC and HOFA and will be used to help continue their
efforts.
 
Jerry Jackowski
Show Coordinator
Ferret Extravaganza '99
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/jnjack/antics.html
[Posted in FML issue 2675]