A few years ago, the Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas worked hard to get
ferrets legalized in the city of Plano, TX.  We provided tons of
information to the city council people, animal control, and the general
public.  We spent one day "testifying" to the city council regarding ferret
domesticity, shelter activity, bite probabilities, rabies vectors, and so
on.  A significant portion of the education was on domesticity, because
ferrets had been incorrectly classified with wild exotics and therefore
banned in Plano.
 
The second day of the ferret legalization hearing, PETA people "testified."
The display of ignorance was amazing.  They claimed that all ferrets were
wild animals; anyone keeping them as a pet or in a cage was cruel, and all
ferrets in Plano should be released in the wild.  I was shocked.  THIS was
ETHICAL treatment of animals?  Any ferrets released in the "wild" in Plano,
TX would quickly succumb to the 100-degree summer temperatures, dehydration,
thirst, traffic, dogs, etc.  I can't think of a more cruel death.
Fortunately, the city council of Plano was quick to recognize that PETA had
not done their homework, and legalized ferrets (with some restrictions).
 
My only other experience with PETA was riding a horse in a parade.  PETA
people leaped in front of the horses, waving signs and yelling.  Some of
the horses panicked at the surprise and injured themselves falling down
because of this display.  The cause of the demonstration?  We had obviously
"cruelly removed our horses from their air-conditioned barns" on a hot
day.!!!  PETA would take no responsibility for the vet bills on the injured
horses; luckily no riders and no one in the crowd were seriously hurt.
 
I'm all for the ethical treatment of animals, but this PETA group has gone
too far, in my opinion and two experiences.
 
- Erika (and Misty, Sasha, Slinky, Bear, Little Bear, Thor, Flower,
  Stevie, Morgan, Rascal, and Zodiac)
[Posted in FML issue 2910]