Good Morning, I very rarely side with PETA as this organization has "dirty hands." But, sometimes, their investigations help the animals being treated inhumanely by their using the media and bringing the cruelty to the "light of day" to the general public. Usually, public opinion is strong when it comes to animals and their plight. Most cruelty cases brought before the media are quickly resolved in one fashion or another because of public outcry. Most animal advocates can be separated into either rescue/shelter/adoption organizations or animal rights groups - most of which are non-profit. And some of these can be broken down even further into "species" or "breed"-specific, such as ours for ferrets -- domestic and black-footed. Make no mistake about it, these advocates have very very different agendas. The mainstream rescue/shelter/adoption organizations are non-profit communities of people doing rescues of animals, on large and small scales...think of the ASPCA and HSUS and all of their local affiliates. And, of course, all of the grass-roots community rescue groups such as mine and the rest of the ferret rescue/shelters all across the world. These folks rescue-shelter-adopt or rehab-relocate (in the case of wild animals). Then there are the animal rights groups such as PETA and their militant sister, ALF. The animal rights advocates have a totally different agenda than the rescues...they may do some limited rescues -- however, the main focus of these folks is to further their position on how humans and animals interact and cohabitate on this planet. While I concur with many of the beliefs of PETA and ALF and I have friends who support these organizations, I absolutely disagree with other parts of their agenda - the aggressive portions - I certainly would not force my feelings about ferrets and animals in general on others nor would I circumvent laws, commit crimes, and put human life in danger to that end. The "by any means necessary" agenda of militant animal advocates has put some of these folks in prison. PETA has also been known to "rescue" animals from municipal shelters and perform what they describe as humane "end-of-life" and some of their members have gone to jail. These types of tactics do not further the cause of animal welfare and PETA has lost much of its credibility over the years. Having said all of that, some of the undercover work performed by these people has led to an enlightened society about the mass production of pets for retail marketing such as ferrets - ALF exposed the torture chambers of Marshall Farms several years ago. Unfortunately, ALF lost all credibility with mainstream animal advocates when some of their members broke into their facilities, destroyed property, and stole beagles and other animals in the dead of night. ALF has also been documented (some by their own hands) releasing ferrets and mink from "fur farms." PETA has brought forth many cruel treatments of farm and laboratory animals and has forwarded good legislation to attempt to ensure humane treatment of those destined to those industries. While I personally detest and have nothing but distain for industries such as Marshall Farms and Triple F, they are legal enterprises. I will always support movements towards banning these for-profit-mills forever or enforcing stricter regulations to ensure proper treatment of their wards but until our laws reflect my personal feelings, they remain legitimate business and I work only in that area to change the current laws. Don't get me started on animal research..... I have reviewed the video and the supporting documentation, laws are clearly being broken at Triple F as anyone with a clear conscious could easily ascertain. At the very least, the USDA should be alerted and complaint filed. Although, I personally do not have much confidence in the USDA and their investigation and policing divisions as I have gone head-to-head with them on cases in this area and have lost. Although not familiar with state laws for Triple F, I would believe there are animal cruelty/humane treatment statutes being broken as well as violation of city or county (local) ordinances -- using state's "basic care" statutes for businesses and industry having to do with the retail of animals. Someone or some entity may have answers to those questions. There has to be a means to enforce the humane treatment of the ferrets at Triple F. Perhaps the "clientele" for Triple F can be alerted and made aware of the cruel and inhumane conditions of the ferrets at Triple F. The threat of taking customers away from Triple F because of bad publicity could force them to take measures to correct the conditions for the ferrets. Sometimes this works! Last year, while I was successful in taking ferrets from a very very bad backyard breeder here in MS, I learned many lessons about myself and using good judgment and self-restraint. I admit that in my zeal to rescue these ferrets from horrible conditions and owners and save them from the winter cold, I was driven by my emotions and not my head. I knew where the line was and I crossed it. Luckily, I have many people who are supportive of me and rescue in general and I was saved from myself. Lesson learned....and that, my friends, is the danger that is lurking out there when you rescue animals. Where is the line between good and bad? You help no one if you find yourself in jail. I can only hope that PETA will take it a few steps further....or, even better, a person or organization with more credibility and that measures can be taken to help the ferrets at Triple F within the parameters of the law. I can only speak for my shelter, but a rescue of this magnitude is almost insurmountable... but not impossible. With so many shelters overflowing with just kids from the local communities, and with the rotten economy, how can the ferret community successfully rehome all of these kids if a rescue at Triple F takes place!?! Be careful for what you wish for, you just may get it! Then what!?! However, Raisins and I stand ready to do whatever we can to help and if given enough heads-up time, Joe and I will get vacation time from our jobs, babysitters for our kids at the shelter, and go and pitch in and help with the rescue efforts and bring back with us a few of the unfortunate. Until then, I will add the ferrets at Triple F in my daily prayers!!! Respectfully submitted, Maren Qualls Raisins From Heaven Ferret Rescue & Sanctuary Hernando, MS [Posted in FML 7177]