People keep posting that the MF debate does no good and that nothing is accomplished as a result of such. I completely disagree and here is why: 1) The debate might actually encourage those who are looking to adopt to go to a shelter and get a ferret (is this a bad thing?) instead of a petstore. 2) Those who have had bad or similar experiences with MF, and have not been on the list prior, have been able to contact me and help me take this to the next level of action. I will not accept the unethical things that MF does to ferrets. It is very easy to run a business using ethical practices and still be profitable. I can site numerous businesses in this economy who are ethical and still make a profit. I just refuse to accept this as an excuse and that it would make MF unprofitable. I view it in the reverse terms...it would help them because then people would have more faith in them thus trusting that the ferrets they are purchasing have been handled humanely and shipped humanely. Many of you have asked for proof. I think it is hard to get "physical" evidence of what goes on within their breeding facilities and how they track ferrets genetics or precautions they use to prevent ADV being introduced into their facilities without them allowing what I have already proposed. All I have, thus far, is proof of what I have encountered personally with their employees and the ferrets I have cared for. There is a serious lack of knowledge with MF's customer service dept and there is a considerable problem with one of the higher ups. These are minor compared to what I plan to address with them, however, MOST companies appreciate the feedback and look to better themselves as a result. The question is how to get the higher-up (I am STILL waiting for that promised call from Peter Reid) to return phone calls so these things can be addressed. I cannot understand why they don't return calls and I am NOT the only one who has encountered this. Ignoring me, wont work because I will find another way to go about getting them to take notice. I would love for it to be as easy as a phone call, but that just hasn't worked so far. Now that others are willing to take up the task, things will progress. What are my plans? First, I will send a detailed letter regarding my experiences with prior conversations with them to the OWNER. The letter will also ask many different questions that I want responded to, in writing. Second, a website will be in place (password protected) for people (initially shelter/rescue workers) to enter in data. This is the closest I can get to scientific evidence. I am not rich. I think the end result will be quite alarming to those who are naysayers. In any case, it should get MFs attention and hopefully those who do research prior to purchase will stumble across the website. Third, I am going to send everything to regulating bodies in that state along with PETA, and Petco. So, I have definitely benefitted from the debate and so will the ferrets that MF deals with. It might not happen immediately, but I do plan to take this to the next level and devote quite a bit of time to this cause. If you don't agree, so be it. I know what I am doing will benefit the ferrets and that is what I care about, not MFs profit margin. In the long run, people who purchase farm ferrets and the shelters that are over-crowded with farm ferrets, will also benefit. Petco is not the problem per say, they are actually quite naive about MF at the corporate level, so I also plan to do some serious educating including information from employees at the store level. Hopefully, they will reconsider carrying ferrets. Kudos to those who are helping with this. [Posted in FML issue 3625]