The earth shook, the mountain rose and lo, on that day, William Killian was known to enscribe: >Well okay. I certainly did not send email to Sandi as she has chosen not >to read anything that might differ in opinion - despite her choosing to >flame others. Lets see now. If William hasn't heard of it can't happen. If William hasn't read all of the pine/cedar studies they don't exist. If William hasn't ordained it so, it just ain't. All of the "original" pine/cedar studies indicating toxins were deadly to rats and mice, were done in 1967. The later report on cancer in humans working in wood mills around pine dust, was done in early 1990's, or around that time. Now lets see, ferrets can catch and pass on our colds and influenza but only large size humans would be affected by pine/cedar. OK William, if you say so. I have an auto-bounce feature on my e-mail to get rid of junk mail from William, but he's in a class by himself. Up until I read his missive I though I was reading differing opinions, but I guess William knows what I do. Gee Willy are you sitting on my shoulder as I sit here reading and writing about rabbits, rodents and ferrets? (((shudder))) Williams statement that I "chose not to read differing opinions" sort of sums up everything he says, he's a mind reader along with all of his other talents. Good gravy, he's in my mind! He is the all seeing, all knowing..... But for others who may be more realistic, what you read are my opinions and they most certainly do differ from many other opinions. William considers my posts "flames" because I have strong opinions and convictions? And the lord spoke..... >I have read what Sandi has said numerous times and think she is >disingenous. PetCo would sell or not sell rabbits for its own reasons. >The House Rabbit Society did not dictate terms to PetCo. They did not >come in as a white knight and defeat a great Satan. Sandi is not disingenuous. William knows not whereof he speaks. And yes....as a matter of FACT the HRS as a community across the US gathered together with other rabbit rescue organizations, with animal shelters who euthanize rabbits and with many individuals....and we did discuss with Petco why it was not in their best interest to sell rabbits. We came charging in with 10's of thousands of lucky rabbits feet and Petco (hmmm, no I wouldn't refer to them as satan, but there are others, not quite human, who I feel would fit that description) realized that as a large group of people who also lived with cats, dogs and other critters we could have a huge impact on their success (read profit) around the country. (I love long sentences!) At the same time that we were "discussing" things with Petco (didn't go too well at first), we also organized "information lines" in front of Petco stores around the country, so that they would see that our presence was not just limited to writing letters. So perhaps William is right after all (scary) in that "it was based on the corporation actually caring." ABOUT THEIR PROFITS! The money that Petco offered and still offers is from their "Buy a bunny for a dollar" easter promotion. They wanted to pass along whatever funds came in from that *advertising* campaign and the first year they actually used the HRS name in their advertising (this was not a good business decision, as they did not have permission to use our good name.) The money they "donate" was not and does not come from their own budgeted funds! It makes a lot of sense William, but only if you choose to get all of the information. By the way, for all who may be interested, you will now see in small print that the "donations" to Petco for their easter campaign goes to animal shelters to help "all" animals. The donations do not (necessarily) go to rabbit rescue organizations. So...this easter money could be yours.. perhaps if you put long ears on your ferrets???? It's up to the individual stores within each Petco district as to which 501(3)c organization gets the money. So start sucking up now! Easter's only a year away! It's obvious that the ferret community does not see the situation with Petco in the same light as the rabbit community did. And so Petco will continue to sell ferrets with the ferret communities blessing. It's simply a matter of profit. And this will be my last post on this topic during this "debate". Sandi Best Little Rabbit, Rodent & Ferret House Seattle, WA [Posted in FML issue 2678]