Hello Jeff, This is not a new thing for Marshall Farms, they have been breeding beagles in the US (NY state) for many,many years for laboratory testing use. Just like their primary ferret market is for research . In fact the ferret pets are the genetically challenged ferrets (albinos, fancy marks) as the labs require the sables for numerous physiological reasons. Additionally they breed rabbits (under the name Peter's and are like ferrets neutered way too early for pet shop sales), pygmy hedgehogs and I imagine a number of other animals. They just found a way to build a new international base and that campaign has been going on for at least 10 years in the UK that I know of. Alicia [Posted in FML 7092]