The following is the letter I just sent to The Tonight Show and also Ben Stiller's agent. I tried to refrain from making any FML comments on this situation because ferret people DO tend to overreact when it comes to ferrets in the media. However, I do think that the foreseeable damage to ferret legalization in California necessitated a response. Whether or not it makes a difference is another matter. I tend to believe this letter, and all the others, will go into the "file" pile. I'd love to see someone from the California ferret crew get some time on the show. We can only hope. Kim -----Original Message----- From: Kim Schilling Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 3:15 PM To: [log in to unmask] Cc: [log in to unmask] Subject: Tell us your thoughts on a particular show/Ben Stiller As the author of Ferrets for Dummies, I was disheartened to see Ben Stiller on last evening's show. Up until his recent ferret mishap on the set of "Along Came Polly", I actually enjoed Mr. Stiller as an actor. However, he has used his public stature to shed biased and negative misinformation on one of America's most beloved pets, the domestic ferret. The domestic ferret has long been the unfortunate and undeserving subject of many myths and untruths and, as such, has had a difficult time gaining the respect and understanding it deserves. Pet ferrets in the U.S. number in the millions. Ferret owners across the United States have worked long and hard to properly educate the public and put an end to the ferret's unjust reputation. Then "Along Came Ben Stiller" and his boisterous overreaction to his on-the-set ferret encounter, and the progress of the vast ferret community comes to a screeching halt. Most of what Mr. Stiller was spouting off was complete nonsense and uncalled for. As representatives of a popular public forum, you should be well aware of how quickly and easily the words, true or false, of an admired public figure can impact public opinion and even reality. Mr. Stiller's voiced support of California's illogical ban on ferrets, based mainly on his lack of education, and his exaggerated appeal to Governor Schwarzenegger to uphold such a ridiculous ban, has caused considerable and unnecessary damage to the plight of the domestic ferret. As such, I believe the responsible thing for you to do is to allow an educated representative of the ferret community to speak on behalf of the domestic ferret as a companion pet. As an experienced ferret educator and a longtime owner of 13 ferrets, I can tell you that the biting ferret is the exception to the rule. Like ANY companion pet (dog, cat, bird, rabbit, horse, etc...), a ferret may bite if it is pushed beyond its stress tolerance. Humans are no exception if pushed over the edge. Mr. Stiller was dealing with a ferret that was performing in an unnatural environment - bright lights, noise, bustling atmosphere, strangers, multiple handlers, extended handling, unstable housing, etc... Jay Leno himself has been bitten by animals on his own set for the same reasons just mentioned. Educated people know that a bite is rarely if ever the fault of the animal. A bite from an individual animal does not and should not be viewed as valid ambassadorship for that breed or species. There are millions of ferret owners who will attest that the only encounter they've ever had with a ferret's mouth is from a loving lick on the nose. I agree that Mr. Stiller has a right to express his own opinion. However, as a public figure he should also know to display a bit of self-restraint and use his influence in a more responsible manner. I thank you for your time and do hope you'll consider entertaining this topic again, but this time in favor of the ferret. In strong support of ferret education and legalization in California, Kim Schilling Author, Ferrets for Dummies Director, Animals for Awareness [Posted in FML issue 4393]