Okay: there were two fine and related points raised for discussion on Sunday. While I think that the failure of show groups and some shelters to communicate with animal control officers about questionable breeders in the past was not due to pride but more due to communication failures such as not knowing who handles what in different states, I DO think that Alicia has an excellent point about requesting inspections when there is a dumping situation. How can claims made to show groups or others be checked into long-distance? How can those who have proof of dumping or abuse best present their data to have shows take it seriously? How can reporting be facilitated when bad conditions exist? These all look to be problems that can solved if people think about them and discuss them. I think, too, that Anonymous raised a fine point about looking for signs of abuse and taking action early on when possible. So, who has input about warning flags and what should be done when they arise? The aim is not to point fingers at anyone past or present, but to try to have better approaches for the future. Oh, one point: there is pretty well assured to be some false things said out there in the rumor mill, especially since the rumor mill is USUALLY wrong, and I think that may be leading to some of the worry among a few posters who perhaps don't realize how notoriously incorrect the rumor mill is. BTW, I can't recall off-hand how large a ferret group has to be to require USDA inspections, but perhaps there is some more proof of failure to honor laws as well failure to care for the animals if she should have had such a permit and inspections. I am finding that I am learning a huge amount about these sorts of legal seizure situations by listening to the many informed people who are contributing. I'd never have guessed many of the fine points they have brought up for consideration. Meanwhile, remember that your contribution to SOS http://supportourshelters.org can help save those current ferrets who suffered so horribly. [Posted in FML issue 4229]