Marlene Blackburn is having trouble mailing to the FML. She is fixing the problem, but for now, I'm sending her mail. Her email address is [log in to unmask] Tracie Belongia >CC: "Debra Phillips" >Subject: Re: [log in to unmask] >Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 08:58:39 -0400 Dear Marlene: Thank you for contacting Marshall Pet Products. We appreciate the information you have provided. I am passing this along to the appropriate sales representative. However, I would like to clarify one point. Monique was refunded her money due to the ferret having a severe upper respiratory infection. Unfortunately, UR symptoms do mimic distemper. If, in fact, Eden Farms "lost a whole batch of ferrets" to distemper, it was not bought to my attention. In the time I've been employed here, we have never had a proven positive case of distemper in one of our ferrets. I hope this information has been helpful and thanks again for contacting us. Best regards, Marshall Pet Products >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Marlene Blackburn" >To: "Marshall Pet Staff" >Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2002 9:05 PM >Subject: fr: [log in to unmask] > >> Request for information follows >> >> ************************************* Dear Marshall Farms, I am writing as a concerned Shelter operator from the Richmond Ferret Rescue League. Wilcox Distributors is still shipping sick ferrets to our local pet stores. I know that in May 2002 you refunded Monique Carrillo (Richmond, VA.) for a kit she had purchased from Eden Farms, Gum Springs, VA. because the kit was diagnosed by the Animal Emergency Care (804-744-9800, Dr. Parker Nash) as having Canine Disptemper. I have a copy of the vet's prognosis report, as I know you have a copy also. According to Eden Farms (Jack) he lost the "entire batch" of ferrets to Distemper. I was under the impression that there was a brief quarrantine period involving Wilcox, but yesterday, Aug. 10, I personally purchased a sick kit from Pet World, Chesterfield, VA. (804-748-3620). She was in an aquarium coated with dried yellow mucous from her nose. I do not make it a habit to purchase any ferret, as we (RFRL) currently have 70 ferrets between our 3 branches here in Richmond, VA. But when I asked the shop owner if she would reduce the $129.00 price since this ferret was obviously ill, she replied "No- because we just return the sick ones for a full refund." Which means this kit would die. She is responding well to Amoxicillin and probably just has a nasty cold. But the shop has another sick kit. And If this shop has sick kits from Wilcox, so do other shops. I worked at PetTails in Midlothian, VA. for a short time last September, and I saw how Wilcox ships their ferrets- in styrofoam containers approximately 10" x 18". They are shipped with small holes punched for air with raw potatoes in the containers for a source of "water". No food. No actual water. Just raw potatoes- the same way they ship crickets and mealworms. I am begging you to please look into the way Wilcox cares for their animals- or possibly stop shipping ferrets through Wilcox until they have a healthy facility. I respect Marshall Farms and think your ferrets are well-bred, well mannered and have excellent dispositions, compared to some of the "breeder" ferrets we have turned into the shelter. I have met some of your staff at the H.H. Backer trade shows (and other trade shows) as I worked for Premier Pet Products for several years. You produce nice ferrets. I am not a big promoter of Path Valley Ferrets, as they have the same amount of illnesses and diseases as any other ferrets. I know you are responsible for our having an FDA approved ferret rabies vaccine. So please do not mistake my letter as any slur against Marshall Farms. I applaud your efforts. I am frustrated with Wilcox Distributors and can only hope you might be able to help save some of your own ferrets, and save the folks who buy these sick kits from the grief they experience when they lose a precious baby. Please let me know if you have any questions. I am open to any suggestions and will help in any way I can. Sincerely, Marlene Blackburn Director/Richmond Ferret Rescue League [Posted in FML issue 3875]