Oppose Ferret Sales in PetsMarts With the rumors of PetsMart selling ferrets flying, I contacted them directly and asked about it. This is the crux of their reply: "Right now, PETsMART is testing the sale of ferrets in four stores in the United States. We decided to test the sale of ferrets because our customers have expressed a demand for them and because we believe they can make good and appropriate pets for those who appreciate and understand how to properly care for them. Ferrets sold during our test period are spayed or neutered, de-scented, vaccinated against rabies and have received their first set of distemper shots. The testing period will run through January. Once the tests are complete, we'll make a decision as to how we'll move forward, doing what's in the best interest of pets. Again, we only will sell pets that we believe make good and appropriate family members." All retailers are sensitive to public opinion. Ferret owners and the ferret (and other pet) loving public have proven in the past how persuasive a letter and email writing campaign can be. It's time to start another. If you are pressed for time or just can't seem to find the right words, read through the following letter. If it seems appropriate to you, please, print, email, cut and paste, what ever, but feel free to use and send it. The important thing is to let PetsMart know the public thinks wholesaling yet another pet, in this case ferrets, is bad idea. In the following letter, insert your name, address, etc in the first set of blanks (______), add the correct date in November and sign at the end. The letter can be mailed to: Phillip L. Francis Chairman and Chief Executive Officer PetsMart, Inc. 19601 N. 27th Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85027 or emailed via customer service (I am trying to find a more direct email address): [log in to unmask] Remember every note, letter, phone call and email counts! Thanks! [DP] _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Phillip L. Francis Chairman and Chief Executive Officer PetsMart, Inc. 19601 N. 27th Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85027 November ____, 2004 Dear Mr. Francis; I am writing concerning the marketing test in four of your stores offering ferrets for sale. I wish to express my opposition to this project and discourage PetsMart from offering ferrets for sale at any time, not just as a marketing test, not just over the holidays, but at any time. Ferrets are rapidly becoming the third most popular pet in the US, behind only cats and dogs. I appreciate what that can mean in dollars and cents. However I also know what that means to them as individual animals and pets as a group. Already ferrets are over flowing privately run shelters across our country. More and more often they are dumped, impounded, or abandoned outside government operated shelters, the local 'dog pounds', and other places. They are being euthanized for lack of homes, while not in the same quantities, in the very same way, for the same reasons as dogs and cats: perfectly wonderful pets, with loving hearts, but no homes. Ferrets are highly specialized pets requiring specialized care. That extends not just to housing, but from home care to vet care. As obligate carnivores they require a special diet. As burrowing animals, they require special housing. Qualified exotics vets are few and far between and the local dog/cat vet is ill equipped and ill trained to handle the myriad of problems and illnesses they develop. These are intelligent, curious, mischievous little animals. Their very nature puts them at risk for injury and death, and their intelligence level precludes them from living happily in a cage. They need several hours of supervised of play and time out of their cage daily to maintain their mental and emotional health as well as their physical well being. Ferrets are wonderful, loving little animals, but they are not for everyone. They already suffer an over population problem. Across our country literally thousands of them are given up, abandoned, abused and/or neglected each year. As you well know, for each animal wholesaled, someone somewhere breeds another at least one other, or two, or three. Unfortunately, greed can be a powerful motivator. PetsMart enjoys a reputation of being a pet friendly and responsible business. I believe it is this persona that has kept PetsMart ahead of its competition in the minds, hearts and wallets of the pet loving public. I know a great many pet owners who will not shop in other pet suppliers because of their tarnished reputations regarding the treatment of their animals. Many of these people will go into a Wal-Mart rather than take a single step into one of those. Please don't follow other pet suppliers down the road of the almighty dollar. Please, consider the well being of these precious little animals as a group and as individuals. Consider PetsMart's reputation, the good will of a very large ferret owning population and stop the marketing test now. In the very least consider the cost to the lives of these precious little animals is more than is conscionable and consider the dollar value of the loss good will of the public. Sincerely, ____________________________ [Posted in FML issue 4698]