Ahhhhh...the good ole days! (november, 2004)...from the very start of a game called "wool-pulling-vision". J.R. & the n.j. gang. ----- Original Message ----- From: Customer Service (SSG) To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 12:20 PM Subject: RE: FERRETS Dear Mr. Rich, Thank you for writing to us with your concerns regarding the sale of ferrets at PETsMART. 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. Adoption is still a top priority. We allow local humane agencies to bring in various pets for adoption, such as small animals, even though the same kind of pet may be in-store for sale; many of our PETsMART Charities Adoption Centers already partner with local adoption groups to find homeless ferrets lifelong, loving homes. Our goal is to help all potential pet parents to fully understand the responsibility they are assuming for the health and welfare of their pet to help them make an informed decision. PETsMART associates are trained to educate customers about feeding techniques, daily care requirements and typical behavior patterns of small pets, including ferrets. Bringing a pet ferret into a family is a significant decision, requiring dedication and commitment. Our customer research shows that we attract customers who think of pets as family members and care for them accordingly. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us. If you wish to discuss this issue further, please contact Customer Service Manager, Jim Davis, at 623-587-2513. Sincerely, PETsMART -----Original Message----- From: john rich [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 1:23 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: FERRETS Importance: High I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT `PETSMART` WILL BEGIN TO SELL "FERRETS"!!! I SHOP AT YOUR STORES, AND ALSO HAVE OWNED FERRETS FOR OVER 12YRS., AND I WAS ALWAYS IMPRESSED BY YOUR COMMITMENT TO "ADOPTING" SHELTER PETS INSIDE YOUR STORES!! WHAT WILL BE YOUR POLICY TOWARD FERRETS? THERE ARE MANY, MANY FERRET SHELTERS & RESCUES THAT COULD USE SOME OF YOUR KIND OF HELP!! MOST `PET STORES` ACCEPT FERRET "KITS" AT UNDER 8 WEEKS OLD, WHICH IN SOME STATES IS NOW ILLEGAL. I WONDER WHO WILL BE SUPPLYING YOUR KITS,.... "MARSHALL`S"?,......"PATH-VALLEY",..... OR "TRIPLE FFF"?? THEY ALL HAVE NOTORIOUS REPUTATIONS FOR SHIPPING KITS AS YOUNG AS 5 WEEKS OLD!!!!! PLEASE RE-CONSIDER YOUR DECISION, AS MANY, INCLUDING MYSELF, ARE WORKING AGAINST MOST PET STORES WHO OFFER SUCH GREAT PETS AS `FERRETS`, BUT DO NOT REALIZE THE `COMPLEXITY` OF THEIR CARE & HEALTH, NOR CAN OFFER POTENTIAL BUYERS "REAL & EXPLICIT" INFO. ABOUT THEM!! "PETCO" HAS BEEN SEVERELY CRITICIZED FOR THEIR WARE! thank you, John Rich. jdr. [Posted in FML issue 4964]