(Sorry for the cross-posts but I would like to get this out to as many people as possible in hopes of finding someone in the area who can help!) I received an email from Vanessa in Colorado about a pet store that has unacceptable living conditions for the ferrets and a staff that is physically abusive to them. I am asking for ANYONE who is in the area of this Colorado store (named in detail below) to make a store visit and try to talk to the owner/staff. Unfortunately, I don't think a phone call will do much to help stop the injustices done to these poor animals. Many times these people will just say whatever to get you off the phone. It maybe the same result when confronted face to face but better something than nothing! Is there ANYONE in this area who can help? PLEASE respond to me at this [log in to unmask] address if anyone can help out! See the below notes from Vanessa describing the situation. (Posted with her permission.) ----------------------------- From: V. C. Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 3:26 PM Please help me, i went to a pet store here in Colorado, i was buying food for my three ferrets and I noticed they had 4 small small ferrets in an aquarium two of them were 5 weeks old and the other two were 12-14 weeks old (i bought the 12-14week olds) but couldn't afford the other two. While I was there i saw one of the employees hit(yes with hand) one of my ferrets i was buying. I yelled at this Person (not a child was the owner) He told me that This Ferret was mean, now I know why, We named him Nitro and I strongly believe that this guy is abusing the Fuzzies. Not only the Ferrets, but the Dogs and Kittens he has at this store (its in a Mall), Nitro and Wahoo are both very scared any noise they hear they run and hide, none of my other three have ever done this, I don't know where to turn to, please tell me what I should do, they are feeding these little babies hard dry food and they are both so very skinny they have no room in that aquarium, please, please help, i know this isn't the only problem out there but this guy should be out of business. All the help I can get would be great. I have been helping Especially Ferrets with getting letters to the Judge (don't know if you fimaliar with their problem), the store address is Pet City 5403 w 88 ave. westminster, Co 80030 303-429-2784 Owner name: Robin Wauh Manger: Joe Glantz The two babies are Cinnamon and they are approx. 5-6 weeks old, they are eating hard dry food, no toys, and in an auquarium. I just called the store, 4-12-01 9:46am Mtn time, and now they have 2 babies at approx 7 weeks and 1 at 10 weeks. I am so mad right now. I asked him why they had them like that he said "state regulations" I called the state and that is not true. I just thought I would let you know about his lies. ---------------------------- Please, if you choose to contact the store, approach them calmly and nicely. You'll have a better chance at making an impact if you keep your head on straight. (Hard to do though, I know.) For those of you who have actually made impacts on stores in your area, a post of Do's and Don'ts would be wonderful! So again, if anyone can please help out by talking to the owner, staff or by making a store visit, Vanessa and I would greatly appreciate it! More importantly, so would the ferrets! Many thanks, Erin Simkins Education Director American Ferret Association [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 3386]