Hello Ferts and Fertfolks of FML ;o) We hope you all are having a real dooky year so far, and shall continue the same of course! Ferris and I have been lurking for these last few months, afraid we've 'both' been 'asleep' for most of that time in fact, as I have been battling with hypothyroid disease. But we're seeing more daylight everyday now, thank God, as the medicine is starting to kick in and my metabolisim is beginning to adjust to normal again. Ferris barely noticed the change of course, since he already assumes it's normal to be sleeping some 20 hours a day! <Gotta Love'em Eh! giggle> Anyhoo, we just wanted to offer you our comment, and a compromise suggestion, concerning this "sales at shows" issue . . . >From: Wherret <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: ferret sales at shows >While I'm sure for localized breeders this is a fine policy, since >customers can visit the breeders later and do their purchasing on their >own time, for those who travel a long way and aren't likely to have >customers come and visit, shows are a great way to get our ferrets out >there. Perhaps there's a viable alternative to a No Sales Policy that >could be implemented? Well, we first want to say, that with health issues such as ECE and the like out there, which are in many regards still not fully understood by either the veterinary nor fertfolk communities,( hell if we are really honest about it, we don't yet know much about even older ailments which have plagued ferts for decades, like adrenal disease, insulinoma, cardio disease, etc. for in reality, it is only in recent decades folks began any real investigation into the ferret's health issues as a pet species) In that this is the case, I'd hope that the entire fertfolk community is inspired to exercise additional percaution, whenever 'mingling' with any other ferret/ferrets. While we believe, the general environment and the basic interactions of a 'typical' ferret show, are for the most part NOT creating, nor promoting, any health hazard to the ferrets involved, we also believe, that as with any 'community' interaction, where there is a possibility of communicable disease spread, that the higher the instance of 'actual' interaction between the various individuals in attendance, the greater the opportunity for disease transmission to occur. In having numerous fertfolk handling numerous ferrets without taking any sanitary precaution in between each and every ferret, we both increase the chance of transmission of disease and we ultimately nullify any precautions we may have already taken with our own ferret's health as well. Even if I'm fairly certain that my own are 'disease free', and I KNOW everyone who attends DOES believe this of their own or would not be there, can I then also take it for granted that all the other ferrets are too? Well, we do not think that is the wisest thing to assume here. We simply do not know enough about ferret health issues to ever become so complacent, and as it's been said, it is better to err on the side of caution is it not? To do otherwise, may cause suffering or sorrow where it need not have been. Our response, rather than 'avoidance' is simply 'precaution'. The same, also applys to eliminating bite incidents. What is needed is to take all the appropriate measures for prevention of disease spread, and to ensure constant supervised handling. However, Sheena also has a valid point as concerns the actuality of our desire and need to be able to 'interact' in regards the 'business'( no pun intended!) of breeding, selling, and promoting our ferrets. For it's indeed true that the 'bloodlines' are clearly enhanced by 'cross-border' interaction between breeders. And too, it's also true that shows provide an opportunity and an enjoyable venue, to both enjoy our ferrets and to meet and network with other fertfolk. So, here's our little suggestion: Perhaps, since many of the various fertfolk involved with the shows do have access to, and are aware of, the various other fertfolks involved, more 'networking' could be done between the parties prior to, and apart from, these shows themselves, particularly as regards sales activities between these various breeders. Thus relieving some of the 'pressure' or 'necessity' for sales occuring only at shows. As well, concerning sales and or adoptions that DO occur at a show, it would seem to be overkill eliminating the practice altogether, when institution of a few simple, but strictly adhered to, precautionary rules and measures to ensure the health of ferrets, and the safety of the general public would suffice to meet the concerns sited here. Ferrets are desperately in need of being promoted and brought into the public eye, as we all know too well, and every opportunity that allows for public exposure and good P.R. should be readily ceased upon by all fertfolks. Indeed, public education is our only tool against the prevailing ignorance that abounds concerning these darling furry friends of ours. It seems to us, that if fertfolks conduct their functions with due precautions and responsibility, so that all the ferrets involved are considered the first priority in the matter, then such functions, be they shows, or frolics, or . . .? are tremendous and effective opportunities for Ferret P.R. and public education. Secluding our community, on the other hand, offers no chance for either, and as a result will prove, at least unbeneficial, and at the worst detrimental, to ferretkind, and so also to all of us who love'em and strive for them. We think it is very important for all fertfolk involved with any sort of 'community function' to recognize the various dangers and issues that it may encounter or create, whether they be related to health issues, or to political/legal <synonymous for ferrets :o(sigh> issues, and to institute and practice an appropriate, standard set of protocols and precautions, in response to them. We also KNOW it is vitally important, to ferretkind that we all strive to eliminate the common ignorance concerning ferrets, and this can only be achieved through public education and exposure. We urge all fertfolks to continually grasp all available opportunities they find to do so! And we urge you also, to do so with due care as well ;o) And now folks, <yaawwwnn> we thinks we'll go back to sleep fer a bit... We pray God's Grace and Mercy for all ferts and fertfolk everywhere. Ferris "You move roun too much typin mom, can we lie down now yaawwwn" and his mom Deba Brezden Director, IFRIC Canada [Posted in FML issue 2220]