>From: Debbi Searing <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: breeding and shelters >I know this will probably start a rash of flames and nasty emails, That's okay, what's life without a little spice? I've actually had this same question. I never thought of the subject before until I read the FML Shelter List. I was going online and visiting some of the web pages of the shelters, and came across one that was asking for vet money and supplies, and then below was advertising their kits from their breeders. I tried to puzzle it out myself, wondering if they aren't getting back ferret for ferret what they breed out? Or if the equation is even higher? Or was it a good thing that people with ferret knowledge were taking care of unwanted or abused ferrets or ferrets that couldn't stay at home anylonger. And to be perfectly honest, I do not know what to think. I have read what it is like to breed ferrets from magazines, read posts and listened to friends. I have heard they hardly ever make a profit, and if they are a good breeder, don't "puppy mill" their ferrets. Likewise, no one EVER makes a dime on being a shelter. But still... I can not help seeing the end result is that you are getting back from the population what you are putting into it, if not more. I don't begrudge anyone a career or the chance to make money at something you love, I just think it seems like an endless circle. I've gone both ways. I've bought five ferrets from a pet store. One was a full grown adult. I've adopted three from a shelter, and selfishly claimed a drop dead gorgeous Cinnamon that was found by a friend on the street a few months ago. I've put money in a pet store's pocket, and Marshall Farms. I've donated to a shelter, and probably financed my vet's summer house in France. Out of the nine ferrers we have had, five are definite MF ferrets, blue tattooes. Two for sure are breeder ferrets, my friend may even have where they came from pegged down. Two more do not have the blue dots, but I am not sure if they are breeders. So I guess what I am saying is, to date, I seem to have adopted more private breeder ferrets than MF ferrets. It seems like a situation that has a lot of pro's and a lot of con's. I guess in the end, all I really care about is that I hope breeder's treat their stock responsibly, and that shelter operators love the unwanted ones until they get new homes. I guess how they get to that loving home doesn't really matter. Julie [Posted in FML issue 2959]