hi everyone, thanks to everyone who send links & info on the utah rescue...oh my god!!!!!! i had no idea how atrocious this place was & how much work, time, money & effort was put into cleaning up the mess this monster made. just wanted to add my .02 re. both the petco problem & the utah ferret "friend" & her lenient punishmment for the abhorrent abuse of these poor little babies. heather w. was right when she said to have a barf bag available while reading the articles in the utah standard; were i not at work right now, i would be screaming & crying by the time i was done, imagining my own ferrets locked up forever in this loveless, wretched place. i know "people for the ethical treatment of animals" isn't the most popular phrase to utter around here, but i can say as a card-carrying member of PETA (flame away!!) that this type of problem is right up their alley. they have handled many, many cases involving the lenient punishment of animal-cruelty related offenses. even if you don't agree with their philosophy, they are a group with the manpower & resources that could generate some serious heat about this issue. after i complete this post, i will be writing letters both to peta & the utah standard regarding this miscarriage of justice. however, i encourage anyone who wants to join me in writing so i am not just a drop in the bucket of complaints... the squeaky wheel gets the grease, no?? i am not sure if we can do anything about the case now that judgement has been handed down, but the very least we can all do is make a fuss & write letters to anyone & everyone so the public can be educated with what we all know. also, on PETA's website (www.peta.org) they have a section dedicated to petco's various offenses; they mostly list problems with petco's treatment of birds, but if i am not mistaken they make some mention of small animals such as ferrets, guinea pigs, etc. i personally do not shop at petco & make no judgement against those who do. but for those who do and have seen any animals being abused &/or neglected, it can't hurt to write to PETA & let them know that ferrets are being hurt in major ways too, particularly if you have tried contacting the higher powers at petco without luck...once again, just my opinion. i am off to write many letters...hug your frets & other pets & THANK GOD they have us to love them...also, pray for the well-being of the little ones still in that mental case's hands...even if it might be a lost cause. because i love animals, jessica. jessica l. manson whimsy creative photography! 28 stafford st. plymouth, ma 02360 (508) 747-5505 [log in to unmask] www.whimsyphoto.com [Posted in FML issue 3756]