Thank you Melissa, for offering another sane voice to the issue of MF
accountability.  You managed without hyperbole or pretense to address some
very valid issues.  And you did it all without insulting a sole.  I hope we
can all continue in this fashion as MF, with some estimated sales of well
over 100,000 kits, and some 33,000 breeders, deserves our earnest and
"untethered" attention.
 
This number is mind boggling!  If they are killing jills at 3 yrs of age,
this number is a travesty.  If they are breeding irresponsibly creating less
hardy animals, this number is appalling.  If they continue to fix their kits
at weeks of age, against all recommendations, thereby instigating more vet
bills, more broken hearts, more animal suffering, and a higher turnover
rate, this number is offensive.
 
I understand HSUS is considering expanding their puppy mill campaign to the
ferret kingdom.  Let's show our support to find the truth and resolve these
issues.
 
****BIG, thank you for letting this discussion continue.  I am certainly
supportive of any editing of you deem necessary to keep this forum alive,
lucid, and effective.  ****Please do not let any spoilers shut this down,
which perhaps is their intent.  The bias that was actually admitted to may
be yet another reason to at least consider a NEW national and unbiased
organization that shows no favor pursuant to the welfare and responsible
care of ferrets.
 
For Kodo, and for all of those with no names,
best wishes,
alphachi
 
[Moderator's note: The Marshall Farms discussions have appeared on the FML
with some regularity.  Usually they turn ugly and I have to put a stop to
them.  I'm keeping my eye on this one too, but hope to see a good debate and
information exchange that doesn't result in a flame war.  So far it's
basically encouraging.  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 1983]