Thanks Todd for your comment on selective reading habits.  Although it
refers to Bob Church's post, it seems it applies elsewhere as well.
 
My post referred to the Big Picture, that in effect, we all share the
responsibility of what happens to the ferrets that are abandoned, given up
and the like.  We all should have the ferret's best interests at heart.
Breeders are not necessarily the single source of shelter overcrowding - I
never said they were as you state I did.  The Big Picture is that in effect
we have a chicken and egg situation here.  We have to start the cycle
somewhere and whether we start at the Breeder, or at the Shelter, or Ferret
Owner, is of no consequence.  The real issue still remains that there is a
problem and that we ALL contribute to the problem.
 
I wish to make the record very clear that my first two ferrets, 13 years
ago, were purchased from pet stores.  After those two the remaining 10
were adopted from shelters of which 2 were private adoptions.  I have at
present, as I have for the last 4 years, a conditional adoption agreement
with the local Humane Society.  I will only adopt those ferrets which no
one else wants, or those that are considered unadoptable.  {Max, who was
considered just a quiet ferret (the opinion of the vet at the local
shelter), turned out to be epileptic, with enough brain damage to limit his
walking ability.  The diagnosis from the shelter was poor and inexcusable,
but I loved him all the 11 months I had him with me.  No one wanted him
because he was an older ferret.} The local shelter that I adopted the
majority of my ferrets from had no ferrets to adopt in my category.  The
need for having a buddy for Bear, who lost her beloved friend Tinder a
short time ago, was becoming apparent.  I called a local gal that I trust,
that breeds ferrets, and she had no ferrets either that I could adopt.  It
was suggested that I get Bear a young ferret as the two would have a better
chance of getting along.  So, against what I normally do and believe in, I
purchased two (because I didn't want to separate them) from a pet store.  I
am a big believer in supporting shelters, and know of some breeders.  But I
was forced to go this route.  Not for me, but out of love for my other
ferret.  The other two boys I have keep each other company just fine, so I
need not worry about them in regards to this matter.
 
So once again, I will state for the record, that IT IS IN MY EXPERIENCE
that some of the breeders that I have come into contact with DO NOT TAKE
BACK THEIR FERRETS.  I also know of some breeders that DO TAKE BACK THEIR
FERRETS.  As with the majority of the people on this, I do not know most of
you from adam.  Does it make my comment less valid?  No, because they are
MY EXPERIENCES.  I also know of some pet stores that TAKE BACK THEIR
FERRETS with a no questions asked policy.  I also know of some pet stores
that DO NOT TAKE BACK THEIR FERRETS.  Does one negate the other?
Again, no.
 
[Posts, part 1 and 2, combined.  BIG]
 
Spacious midwest cage.  Sorry, my all run free.  I don't believe in cages.
I find that there is not one on the market that fulfills the needs of a
ferret better than being allowed to run free.  IN MY OPINION.  Two hours
a day?  Doesn't sound like an awful lot considering they are asleep 12-14
hours a day... leaving 10-12 hours to run, eat, poop and explore and have
human interaction.  Hmmmm.  Think about that one for a bit.
 
Seems if anyone has missed the point, it is you.  If I may make take an
idea submitted by Bob Church's post.... if you don't have any problems
with your shelter, why take issue with what is being said here?  I have
no dealing with you.  I would have to go to your shelter and make my
assessment from that visit.  If you have such a wonderful establishment,
then I would say you have nothing to worry about.  My experience is not
with you.  Does it make my experiences less valid?  No, because they still
happened and they are still MY EXPERIENCES.
 
Let me ask you these questions then: Where does your money come from in
order to feed your ferrets, to buy blankets and litter and supplies for
your ferrets, and to pay for the medical costs incurred?  You say that
having a shelter just happened.  What keeps the shelter open and operating?
How do you decide how much goes into operational consumables (pens, paper,
copier costs, printing costs, etc.) verses how much goes directly to the
ferrets?  These are just basis business questions.  Exchange of money for
services provided or goods exchanged is the basic definition of business,
very simplistically stated.  Do you exchange money for a ferret?  The issue
I feel that you are taking with this is that you think business is being
expressed as a dirty word.  If it is anyone not being real here it is you.
There are such things as not-for-profit and non-profit organizations, one
of which I work for.  Is it still labeled as a business?  You better
believe it is.  Services are provided and exchanged.  Money comes to us in
the form of donations, gifts, bursaries, grants and even in food.  We have
paid staff as well as volunteers.  The care of animals is involved where I
work, public education is a top priority, and the organization is involved
scientific research, to make the lives of each one of our "family" cared
for to its utmost.  Each one of us got involved in this organization
because of our love of animals.  We cry when one is lost to us.  We rejoice
in our accomplishments.  How is that different from what you do?  Take
offense to what you will ... it is your choice.
 
And I quote myself, "For as long as there are ferrets and there are those
of us who want them in our lives, we must put all of this into perspective.
Breeders have a responsibility not to flood the market with kits when the
shelters are busting at the seams.  Shelters have the responsibility to
educate the public and find homes for their ferrets without putting
themselves into massive debt.  The rest of us have the responsibility to be
realistic and not to adopt what we can't look after, to care for the ones
we have taken under our wings like we would if they were our own blood
children; to provide them all their needs, till death do us part." How does
the death of one lower the demand of another, you ask.  And I quote myself
again, "If people weren't so eager to save a hapless homeless ferret, more
would be initially euthanized (sad as this would be) as the demand would
decline." And again, "Regardless of the animal the circumstances and
controversies, although touch on slightly different specifics, really all
involve the same topics: breeding, shelters, housing, feeding, care, public
education etc." Seems to me you once again missed the point.  And I will
ask you these questions, Why have a ferret in the first place?  Substitute
any animal of your choosing for the word ferret as the answer would be the
same.  Where do you think the ferrets you have initially came from?  Where
did you get yours?  Simply put, we, in the ferret community, are all in it
for the same reason - WE LOVE OUR FERRETS.  If no one wanted a ferret,
there would be no demand for them.  Therefore no breeders of ferrets and,
therefore no shelters for ferrets.  If we lived in a world where the want
and desire for ferrets suddenly dropped like a stone, some of the remaining
ferrets in shelters would end up adopted, some would die, and some DEPENDING
ON THE ORGANIZATION would euthanize them as they would require the room for
the other hapless (and more desired) critters being dropped off at the
shelter.  Sorry, my dear, I can't spell it out any clearer for you.
 
Hope this clears things up for you.
 
BTW, keep these coming!  I am thoroughly enjoying this!  I feel good in
knowing that we can talk about this freely and respectfully.  And Bev, if
you have any other problems with my articles and future postings, please
feel free to respond as I will be ready and waiting.
 
Betty and Her Blur O'Fur
[Posted in FML issue 2519]