>From:    Ken meyer <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Ferret Adoption
>Now, maybe I am sensitive about privacy
 
We do not think that you are unreasonable.  There is no reason for us
to suspect we would not be willing to adopt out to you.
 
>Thanks for letting me vent, and please direct any indignant flames from
>shelter people to me.
 
Since this isn't an indignant flame we posted here.  We think some shelter
folk want to go too far.  But our shelter is basically empty.  Some who
want to know far too much are not.  Is their a correlation?  Some folks we
really think a lot of are far more questinoing than we are but it is their
right to do what they think is best for their charges.
 
>From:    Anne Ryan <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Amy Flemming Pleas for funds
 
Having heard more from Amy in private (though widely circulated email),
we wouldn't say she is running a "beg-a-thon".  We wouldn't say she is
actually any different than several other folks that are both involved with
sheltering and breeding.  That includes Alicia Drakiotes who does do a
reasonable amount of shelter work and is the most visible shelter person
in seeking donations.  Amy's story is that her breeding stock obtained in
Australia cost her nothing.  Well a bit of a transportation fee that is
less than we might spend on lunch without thinking about it.  That to us
makes a huge difference.  Seems more like sour grapes whining to get all
fired up about what to us looks more like a case of bad timing and planning
in when two messages got posted.
 
Some folks seem to think they should control the donations from all folks
and that the fund should all be directed to where they want then to go.
OUr opinion is that anyone who wants to donate to help Amy Flemming out
should.  If the closeness in time between the announcement about getting
the new ferrets and the very low key (in our opinion) request for
assistance bother you, than by all means do not assist.  But to publicly
blast the Flemmings without presenting fairly all pertinant facts is
disgraceful.
 
>From:    Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: AVAR
>The question of whether or not their ultimate goal is to liberate all
>animals from human control is irrelevant
 
But would that be akin to supporting Mussoulini because he made the trains
run on time?  We will certainly not support a group who's very goal is to
destroy what we enjoy.  If we get them rolling to do the few things we
agree on then we may not be able to stop them later when we disagree on the
basic premise that ferrets are great pets and people should be allowed to
have pet ferrets for the rest of their lives.
 
>Even if one doesn't believe that all animals have want/should have the
>right to live free from human confinement, it is still possible to fight
>for other less drastic rights.
 
We fully agree.  That is why we strongly support the rational animal
welfare movement as opposed to the irrational animal rights movement.  They
are not the same.  We love our ferrets.  We think eveyone on the FML loves
their ferrets and we want to do nothing to deprive them of the ability to
have ferrets for their lives and their children to have ferrets through out
their lives.
 
>Just remember that PETA's tactics are not synonymous with the animal
>rights movement.
 
Yes unfortunately they are.  Animal rights is NOT animal welfare.  Learn
about the differences and you might realize we agree.  Threats of violence
against humantity are a very common theme in animal rights activism.  But
not in animal welfare activism - its one of the defining differences.
 
>There really are some decent animal rights groups out there.
 
Nearly none that we are aware of.  Again think animal welfare.  PETA has
done a very good job of confusing the issue.  They are not the same thing.
 
>I would also like to say that ferret lovers should be especially
>empathetic towards those groups fighting for the welfare of "food"
>animals.
 
Again do not blur the very real distinction.  We strongly support all
groups that are working towards the welfare of ferrets.  We oppose those
that cross the line into working for the "rights" of ferrets which is
actually the elimination of ferrets to prevent the least chance at a ferret
ever suffering even the minimal discomfort of a ride adross town in a pet
carrier.
 
If you are really concerned about the proper treatment of animals research
the difference.  Your hard earned money that you fork over in donations may
not be doing what you want it to.  A good intro we just found with a lot of
references to follow is at
http://www.pipeline.com/~dandy_lions/twentwo.html
 
bill and diane who actually love ferrets not just as an excuse to hate
people since we love people too despite a few bad examples
--
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2925]