To many: >Larissa Payne <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Vets in Miami? >I am relocating to the Coral Gables area of Miami in August. Does anyone >have a recommendation for a good ferret-friendly vet in the area? South Kendall Animal Clinic is where Dr Chavez, and Dr. Pane practice. Both are very ferret familiar. As to any laws or restrictions, there are NONE. Florida is a ferret state. >Tanya Peters <[log in to unmask]> >Do ferrets need heartworm medicine? Yes, absolutely. In fact , it only takes one worm to kill a ferret due to the small size of the ferret's heart. Even if kept indoors, most consider preventative treatment wise. >Cheryl Bott <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Marshall Farms >I would like to comment on the "Business" at Marshall Farms. I know that I >will illicit more than some unhappy feeling. Thanks for your prolific post on your feelings towards the MF issue. I am so happy more and more are giving this some serious thought. I will, however, sidestep some of the less pertinent content in the hopes of getting some things straight. First, "open door" is a euphemism. Try not to think so concretely. I cannot speak for others, but as for myself, I have NO desire to storm the halls of MF. What "open door" refers to is ACCOUNTABILITY. You mention "talks", well, some actually consider Mr Reid downright "chatty". Unfortunately, of little consequence. Many have tried to get answers since at least 1994. Other than a few "token" actions, and a lot of lip service, NO ONE outside knows exactly WHEN they kill their ferrets. HOW MANY they kill. HOW DO THEY kill their ferrets, and a myriad of other issues including and concrete resolutions. I am real happy your shelters are empty. In South Florida, they are not. Even sadder, MANY are let go in the wild where eventually most will die if not "picked up" by chance by a caring individual. (many think they will survive because of the tropical climate--so much for an informative booklet) As for your "challenge", the MF ferrets down here with ALL the papers and coupons go for only $99. So thanks for proving my point that an extra 10 or 15 bucks ain't gonna kill the business. Thanks! As for your "puppy mill analogy"....forget it, if a person smokes in bed for 50 years, it doesn't make it a safe practice. DENNY'S is much larger in all aspects than MF, yet their racist practices went on for decades while profits soared. Longevity does NOT equate into anything and in fact is the POOREST rationale of all. History bears that fact. Cheryl, you appear to be an intelligent person, so let me appeal to that intelligence and ask that you join in the efforts to "appeal to" MF in recognizing their responsibility and accountability. Historically, talk is cheap and companies and corporations know this VERY well. We are working on this. Sterling is correct that these are ANIMALS NOT PRODUCTS. Unlike your average roll of toilet paper, animals do need advocates. I sincerely hope MF corrects these deficits and I for one am very willing to work WITH them. However, "chatty" does nothing for me. Substance does. best wishes, until next time, alphachi [Posted in FML issue 1998]