>One does not have to love or even like PETA.  They have provided info to
>help animals.  If MF found the info concerning them damaging AND
>false-they would need to sue Peta.  I have not read anywhere of this.
>This does NOT speak well of MF.
 
So true.  MF does not sue anyone nor do they respond and try to dispell
these so-called "rumors".  All they do when questioned is deny, deny,
deny.  In addition, they wont respond to any questions in writing that
could damage them.  The customer service people are "gate-keepers" and
that is all.  MF cannot deny what I have witnessed nor can they deny what
countless others have witnessed.
 
To Sukie: your points about MF not being the only bad farms, are good.
However, my reasoning is simple, start with the biggest and work downward.
If other farms see regulations changing and that MF (the largest) are
having problems, they may just realize that there are some out there who
mean business.  I agree, if MF were to shut down, the others would step up
"production".  I do not intend to shut MF down, just change how they do
things.  Then I will start going after the others who practice similar
methods and use MF as an example and possibly a "scare" tactic.  Does
this make sense to you?  I never waste time on the "gate keepers", I go
straight to the top decision-makers.  This is what has made me successful
in my career.  It takes far too long to accomplish anything if you follow
the "common" steps.
 
As far as this debate goes, it was VERY worthwhile for me!  I accomplished
EXACTLY what I set out to accomplish...I found others who are willing and
ready to help in this cause.  I found a few who mean business and are not
just paying "lip service" to this.  They are ready to take action and
don't be surprised if within the next couple of months, you see some
results.  The website idea is underway.  My first step is the letter to
the owner of MF, which will also go to PETA and to the Dept of Agriculture
as well as the VP of Petco.  I think some heads will turn when they read
about the experiences of others, including my own.  This is just the first
step.  When and if I get a response from MF, I will be posting it here for
all to see.  I promise that.  Thank you to those of you who are stepping
up to the plate and sending your experiences and percentages.  It is
REALLY obvious that this is a widespread problem, not just in my area.  I
am really anxious to see what the petstore managers and vets are going to
contribute.  Hooray!
 
To those of you who are accusing me or others of "bashing" MF, let me
reiterate for you, that telling your experiences with something is not
"bashing", it is speaking the truth from your own experiences.  How is
that "bashing"?  Thus far (fingers crossed) I have not recd any hate mail
from this.  Those of you who send hate mail to someone accusing them of
wanting to destroy MF ferrets or have perceived all of this to mean that
I or we are suggesting that MF ferrets should receive less care or love
than other ferrets, seriously need to re-read all the posts.  Nobody has
stated such.  How ridiculous.
 
In a perfect world, petstores would no longer carry ferrets, but that wont
happen.  The supply is constant and so are those people who think ferrets
are "cute" without any education prior to purchase.  Unfortunately, these
same ferrets end up dumped.  Thank goodness we have shelters who are
willing to take them in.  I bet that without shelters, people would be a
little more upset about farms and petstores selling ferrets.  Where would
the ferrets go without the shelters who so selflessly take them in?  Think
about that the next time you stand in front of one of the cages at the
petstore.  In fact, visit the shelters to get your ferret fix, and while
you are there, help out.  Then you will understand the tremendous need for
petstores to stop carrying ferrets (or at least educating customers and
encouraging them to do more research prior to purchase).  Until people
realize the impact (demand creates supply), things wont change.
 
By the way, a ferret whimpering or "screaming" to come home with you at a
petstore, is no different than those at the shelters - they also want a
new home.  However, I can certainly understand it for those who don't
have shelters to adopt from anywhere reasonably close to where they live.
Adult ferrets are just as "cute" as kits (in my opinion).  I actually
prefer mine when they are older.
 
Thank you to those who are taking up the fight!  We will not be defeated.
[Posted in FML issue 3623]