I certainly got alot of backs up by asking the questions I did about the
buying vs. rescuing issue.  I want to thank all of my friends who run
shelters for taking the time to engage that issue with me.  I want to say
first of all that I think buying a ferret out of a bad situation could never
be considered "wrong." After reading all of the responses from shelter
operators, I would like to venture one small bit of insight.  When I was a
teenager, I was determined to become a veterinarian, and so got myself a job
in a vet clinic.  I loved animals, and in my spare time I used to walk the
dogs.  I spent quite a bit of time making elaborate bows to tie around the
necks of the dogs I bathed.  I would spend hours trying to get the sick
kitties to eat.  At this time ferrets were illegal in Michigan so we never
saw any ferrets.
 
One thing I quickly learned is to harden my heart.  I think that is the
hardest lesson for an animal lover.  You can't help them all.  I learned to
accept it when it was necessary to euthanize an animal, to know that from
their perspective the pain was all and that death was really a kindness.
And I learned to give what comfort I could to the ones that were in pain or
frightened.  Often, the owners were negligent, and the vets had to fix what
harm they did, and we would have to send the pet right back into that
environment.  The best I could do was not torture myself over the situation
and hope that where I was powerless, maybe God would step in and lend a
hand.
 
Some problems will not be solved no matter how much money you pour into
them, and I think shelter operators especially (not speaking of anyone in
particular or even anyone on this list) can be victimized by a soft heart.
Sometimes it is necessary to ask a few questions of yourself.  Is this the
only way I can help?  Is this the most good I can do with this $50 (or $100
or whatever)?  Am I doing more harm than good?  I think this last is
especially relevant when you are buying from someone who is likely to repeat
their behavior as a result of your purchase.  I certainly think that buying
a ferret from a bad situation is justified in many cases.  I also think a
lot of shelter owners get suckered by their own emotions.
 
For example, in the case where the ferret was auctioned without food and
water: There was one other bidder?  Couldn't he/she have done what was
needed for the ferret?  It seemed that person wanted a ferret.  Or perhaps
the seller was not responsible for the treatment of the ferret at the
auction, and what was really important was educating the animal handlers
about ferrets' needs.  Or maybe the only real answer was to buy the ferret.
I don't know.  I wasn't there.  But I do know when something is up for
auction and the bidding is going fast, emotions can take over and logic (and
money) fly out the window.
 
If you are involved in helping people or animals in need, it is important to
master simultaneously the arts of infinite love and of sheltering the heart
from exploitation.  One person can't do it all.  You shelter operators are
doing more than your share.  I just hope you don't let unscrupulous pet
stores or breeders get the better of your good nature.
 
Also, I would like to clarify the statements I have made in the past,
because in all the discussion, I believe some things have been attributed to
me which I did not say.  I suggested that once you got into the habit of
buying ferrets to rescue, then adopting them out, you were a ferret broker.
I did not use the word broker because I think you are making a profit OR
that I think making a profit would be bad.  I used the word broker because
"rescue" to me implies an option of last resort, whereas a broker might
process ferrets in all states of need or prosperity.  Profit is irrelevant.
I just wanted to needle the shelter operators a little bit and see if we
could come up with a good definition of "shelter" and "rescue." I do not
believe it is wrong for a breeder to make money.  However, very few animal
breeders make a profit.  Lastly, I don't like many of the things I have
heard about Marshall Farms, but I do not agree with attacking them simply
because they are big business.  A lot of wrong is done in this world, and a
lot of profit made.  However, neither one necessarily leads to the other.
 
Lastly, I am very confused by the statement made by one shelter operator (I
forget which one) who said that she would buy a ferret from an unsuitable
owner, but would not accept one freely given by an owner who could not sell
it and had no other way to dispose of it.  What then is the purpose of a
shelter?  That is no more than the humane society would do.  I don't
understand that one at all.  Must every ferret be wrenched away from
unwilling or cruel owners to be rescued?
 
-Catherine
[Posted in FML issue 1807]