Bryan says: > This, I believe, is an unanswerable question. Actually, there is an answer I think: because it makes us feel frustrated and ashamed and sickened and incredulous that some members of our species are so neglectful or thoughlessly cruel to helpless innocent creatures, and because we often feel so powerless to make any headway against such a huge and widespread problem. Taking the ethical high ground is small comfort when you're looking into the eyes of a creature in distress. >I went into the petstore today to get some food for my critters. So >NATURALLY I went over to check on the ferrets. It's a small thing I guess, but part of what I do is *never* buy *anything* at a place that sells ferrets, cats and dogs, and I try to convice anybody who will listen to only buy at pet *supply* stores. I won't give those places my support in any way. Having said that, I have to shamefully admit that my ferrets are from pet stores (not to imply that they aren't wonderful fuzzies!), and I broke my rule and bought them because at the time I was not aware that there was such a thing as a "reputable ferret breeder" and I *really* wanted ferrets in my life. Not a good excuse, but I guess we all make mistakes. Now that I know about breeders and rescues, I would never give another pet store my implied approval and support, and I have become just as eager to inform people I meet about good ferret sources as I have always been about recommending good dog sources. Of course I still walk into pet stores to look at the ferrets and puppies and kittens, even though I see things that break my heart, even though they are not *legally* abusive or neglectful (such as keeping puppies *alone* in small cages with wire bottoms and very little human contact, aaaargh). Once in a while, if no staff are too close, I might talk to my friends in a loud whisper so that the other shoppers can eavesdrop. I'll mention how bad it is to get a pet there and how easy it is to find a good breeder or rescue and how inflated the prices are at a pet store, not just on the animals but also on supplies...so many people *just don't know* So did you do the right thing? Well, obviously you didn't do the best thing for *that* ferret at *that* particular moment but I have to believe that taking the long view, while so much harder to do, is important in stopping this sort of crap permanently. Pet shops have been getting away with causing people to buy out of pity for waaaaaay too long, and as long as it works, they have no reason to stop. And of course you will do the right thing by calling the ASPCA and they will make sure that the poor ferret does not have to go another day without proper care, so for that fuzzy at least, you *will* have made a difference, even though you didn't take him home yourself, and that is something to feel good about. And I am sure the pet store will clean up it's act to at least a tollerable level, at least for a while. I would also talk to the manager and tell him or her exactly what I think of his/her staff and their actions, exactly what I think about him/her for allowing it to happen and also let him/her know that because of this horrible neglect, you and anybody you can convince will not buy anything more from that store. I guess there are lots of other things you could do, depending on what kind of energy and time you have to devote to it. You could start up a breeder referal service. You could think of some way to promote education about proper care and good sources. Distribute informational flyers, posters or booklets! Start or join a club in your area devoted to ferret education. Start a petition to make the sale of animals in pet stores illegal. Stand outside the pet store and tell the story of the poor ferret to people about to walk in ;-) I wish I knew what to write to make you feel better. The best I can tell you is that I believe you *did* do the "right thing" and I understand how it made you feel and it makes me cry too. Valaria [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 1828]