>From: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Please do not believe me > >Please do not believe what I wrote on MF a few days ago. Do not believe >person x or y, and what they have written recently. Many, many hours were >spent by a number of people to research what we could on MF for all of you last year. The on-line addresses are with all or almost all of the >articles I sent to all of you on the FML. Just write down those >addresses, read the articles from various sources, and decide for >yourself. There is no sense in me responding to the same old, same old. >Believe no one. Find out for yourself. In fact, Lisette, many of those who have supported Marshall Farms in the past, and stood up for them, have been known to change their tune. It would not be fair of me to name names because they obviously are not coming forward about it due to the backlash from some of those who do support Marshall Farms (who can blame them?) So who is right? Well, probably until those who support them experience some of the things I have and some others have or actually witness how these animals are shipped, then they wont believe anything but good regarding Marshall Farms. My first ferret was a Marshall Farms ferret, and I thought they were such a good company then, but now? No! The amazing thing is that back then was when all the reports were first coming out (inspection reports, etc...) and I chose not to believe what I read. I just did not have enough contact with them previously to realize how very little they care about the well-being of ferrets. Also, someone on here (cannot remember who) asked for you to supply the name of the vet who gave the report. I can understand asking for this clarification since I have asked a few Marshall Farms supporters to come forth with who they obtain(ed)their information from. This is important if people are to believe any of what is stated. Not simply, "my contacts at Marshall Farms said this" or "a vet I know said this." If you would rather provide the name(s) of your source(s) via private email, that would be good also, but I have a hard time believing anyone who makes such claims and then cannot back them up. I am not referring to Lisette because I believe that she has, in past postings, revealed her source(s). Three people emailed me about what I reported and I gladly passed along the contact information and phone extension of the Marshall Farms Manager I spoke with. There is no reason for Marshall Farms to hide from people, is there? They need to own what they say. This is not to suggest that any money or efforts that they put into legalization issues should be refused, but one must consider why they would be involved in such an endeavor. I would much rather see them donate more to shelters, ADV research and things of that nature that will actually benefit ferrets, not help legalize ferrets in order to further line their pockets. Think about it, if ferrets are legalized in all areas, this opens up the door for them (both products and the sale of more ferrets). If they were simply a concerned party with no financial gain from the legalization of ferrets, I might not feel so strongly or if they were nicer and more concerned when someone calls them to report something important that could affect future breeding on their premises or that ferrets from there are being shipped in horrific conditions, I might feel that they are actually concerned with more than just profits. Until I witness differently, I will remain entitled to my opinions based on MY actual experiences with them, not everyone elses. After all, what does any ferret enthusiast have to gain by bashing Marshall Farms? NOTHING! I am not a breeder or another farm competing with them, nor do I produce ferret supplies, so what would I have to gain? What would anyone who voices concerns on this board (other than a competing business) have to gain? Let's consider the motivation and concern before jumping to conclusions over why someone voices what they do. I certainly doubt that Lisette has anything to gain by revealing what she knows about Marshall Farms. Has anyone thought about this part of the equation? There is nothing I would like more than to feel that Marshall Farms cares about ferrets, but my experiences and the examples I have seen do not put them in that category. Until I see or experience differently, I must form opinions based on my own personal experiences. What else is there for me to base this on? Keep educating people, Lisette. One day they will have an experience that may alter their perceptions, just as others have had and then, like me, they will think back to the articles and reports that they turned their noses up at. Thanks. P.S. No, whatever Danielle posted about her ferret drinking a spilled alcoholic beverage, that was not me. Although those lemonade drinks are good and I am quite sure my bunch would have done the same, it wasn't me! [Posted in FML issue 3447]