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Post by herbalmistress on Jul 6, 2009 18:21:34 GMT -5
What are the opinions of people on this board about Marshalls ferrets? Are their breeding and living conditions inhumane? I just heard them being spoken of as great breeders at my local pet store, but then the lady mentioned the kits they have are only 6-8 weeks old. I thought most breeders didn't let them go until at least 10 weeks. Also Marshalls ships their ferrets, which i don't really agree with. I read an article online about the early spay and neutering possibly causing health problems.
I'm at a loss about where to get my ferrets from. I can only find one breeder in the whole state of Texas, who lives over four hours away from me. I have considered adopting from a shelter, but i would like young ferrets, and to know where they came from, honestly.
Any opinions?
Peace,
Cherry
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Post by wepamperpets on Jul 6, 2009 18:43:39 GMT -5
Marshall ferrets, path valley, triple f, ect.... all the pet store ferrets come from ferret mills. Thier breeding is horendous along with thier ethics. They breed for not only just profit, but MF breeds for labs too for testing  MF actually bred ferrets for lab testing only until they realised profit to be made if selling them to the stores. Pet store ferrets are altered way too early, ferrets at the bare min should'nt be altered till at least 6 months old, yet these stores are altering them before they make it to stores, our store gets them at 5 weeks old so you can imagine, they had one problem where ones eye's where still closed All in all I have had horrible time with my MF ferrets with health, VERY unhealthy cancer after cancer, IBD, Inulinoma, and start of Adrenal cancer... and my ferrets are under 5! Personally I absolutely will not support mill ferrets, all ferrets need homes yes, i wish best for each one, i love them all, but if we quit buying they will quit producing if they cannot make thier profit. I would reccomend going to the local shelter to adopt one who is in dior need of a home  If you want a breeder ferret, you have to be very careful who you get one from as some are just as bad as the mills. The top breeders are located east coast, and up north. So you would have to do travel unless you have a friend that will be coming up this way for shows. My friend lives in TX and she's coming up for buckeyebash to not only show pic up her new baby from HTF, she's also bringing back at least one kit for someone else in TX since she's up this way. Those are options to you as well if you know someone that can help transport them if you cant make the trip.  So if your wanting to do something like that would do it immediatly before the kits are all adopted out to new homes, then breeders wont have anymore until next yr at this time. |
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Post by herbalmistress on Jul 6, 2009 19:23:05 GMT -5
I definitely won't be buying from them if they've sold to research labs. Thank you so much for the information.
Peace,
Cherry
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Post by velvetfuzzbutt on Jul 6, 2009 19:42:19 GMT -5
Cherry, there are often kits and ferrets under a year old in shelters and rescues. also, Many owners get their ferrets from breeders on the east coast and either pick up at the shows or fly them home.
where in Texas are you? I'm in North Dallas
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Post by wuvweasels on Jul 6, 2009 19:51:45 GMT -5
I'm not too familiar with Marshall Farms. I don't think Wubz was bred there (she isn't marked). But I would assume that their ferrets don't get the best care and socialization considering the scale of their breeding operations. I could be wrong. Another thing to consider is that while kits are obviously adorable, they definitely have their disadvantages. They tend to be very nippy and usually need a lot of guidance with their potty training. Besides, it's a wonderful feeling to know that you've rescued an unwanted ferret even if he/she is a little older. Wubzy was 1 year old when I adopted her and she was already nip and litter-trained. I'm so glad I didn't go with a kit  |
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Post by sherrylynne on Jul 6, 2009 22:00:20 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the majority of kits sold in pet stores are from Marshall's. The rest are either from other mills, or backyard breeders. I know one of the reasons kits are shipped here so young is that under 2 months, no medical documentation is needed. They're considered too young for shots of any kind, but not too young to remove from the mothers!
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Post by josiesmom on Jul 6, 2009 22:54:05 GMT -5
Marshall's Does get a bad rep because they do sell to labs. But WHile I wouldn't want my ferret to end up in a lab. Ferrets do get used extensively for research regarding flu vaccines for people - so unless the labs get a go ahead to experiment on people, then I commend the animals that have contributed to the benefit of human kind.
That being said animals bred for use in laboratories need to be relatively healthy and of a similar gene pool so the test results can be equally evaluated. The animals need to be of excellent temperament too to put up wityh the conditions imposed upon them.
Marshall's ferrets on the whole tend to be quite tractable. as for health - I firmly beleive that health is directly related to what the animal is fed. Crap in offers crap out. An animal can NOT obtain optimal health when fed crap in a bag! PERIOD!
How much of those cancers are actually a result of god knows what ground up and processed into the kibbles poured into the food dish every day?
Currently four of my five ferrets are Marshall's ferrets. One is a Path Valley ferret. Path Valley ferrets are notorious for being more rambunctious and aggressive than practically any other farmed ferret. Roman bolsters that notoriety, but with consistent, patient handling and natural outlets, and as he gets a bit older ( over a year now) he is becoming a real ferret! My first ferrret, Josie< was from a private unknown breeder, sold to a horrible pet shop at much too young an age and died from Juvenile Lymphosarcoma at 14 months old.
Marshalls is probably the largest ferret breeder in the U.S. and one of the oldest commercial breeders too. That might mena they know their stuff, or that they are large enough to absorb losses from "bad shipments" or returns. A private breeder can offer you more information regarding your chosen ferret, but that ferret will cost considerably more than a pet shop ferret from a ferret farm.
Personally I'd encourage you to check out a local ferret rescue. There are many perfectly healthy, well adjusted, already handled ferrets at shelters that got their start from a pet shop or other source.
Buying a kit from a shop only continues the demand for mills to breed more while the already sold ones sit needing a home in a shelter.
Cheers,
Kim
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Post by Heather on Jul 7, 2009 0:35:05 GMT -5
Marshals ferret....the ferret most likely to show up in a pet store and usually the most passive (why most pet stores like them). They also come with a health and temperment guarantee (it's only good for the first year and you supposedly have to feed their Marshals supreme kibble to claim it, you also have to have a vet certify that your ferret's poor health is not something you've done but is directly attributed to breeding ) Healthwise, they don't appear to be any worse or better than any of the other farm ferrets (up here in Canada, we don't appear to have any reputable breeders, all our ferrets come from the major ferret mills or backyard breeders). My oldest ferret is a marshals, Babushka is over 10 yrs old. She was fed garbage for most of her life, she probably wouldn't have lived much longer (she was turned in at 9 yrs), she did nothing but sleep. I like to think that a good diet and being allowed to roam at will has given her some extra time Marshal ferrets are good for first time ferret owners and probably the best for temperment. Path Valley....well they're a bit of a handful and so were the couple of breeder ferrets that I have had turned in. I presently have 6 Path Valley, 2 breeder ferrets, 7 Marshals and 1 Hagen (they stopped producing ferrets). The wildest and the most fun...the Path Valley and the 2 breeder ferrets but they're the ones that I have the most trouble with socializing or getting them to accept new ferrets, biting and being way too smart for their own good . They are the ones that instigate the trouble. The marshals kids are much mellower and more easy going. Marshals kids seem to have a hard time with adrenal but Path Valley furkids seem to have heart problems. Note this has been an observation of the furkids that have been through my rescue and a general statement, others will possibly find that this isn't necessarily so with their furkids. ciao |
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Post by herbalmistress on Jul 7, 2009 7:59:00 GMT -5
Cherry, there are often kits and ferrets under a year old in shelters and rescues. also, Many owners get their ferrets from breeders on the east coast and either pick up at the shows or fly them home. where in Texas are you? I'm in North Dallas I'm in Denton. I've noticed one breeder mentioned on here who is in Austin, but hubby isn't too thrilled about driving that far. I've done several google searchs for North Texas breeders with no results. There is the Texas Ferret Lover's Rescue in Balch Springs we are considering as our other main option. |
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Post by herbalmistress on Jul 7, 2009 8:39:10 GMT -5
One issue with the Balch Springs rescue is that most of their ferrets on petfinder say no small kids. Is there actually a valid reason for this? I'm not sure if i should be honest about having a 3 year old, or just fib on the application. I have three children ages 3, 8, and 10. My older boys are thrilled about the idea of owning ferrets and i think they are responsible enough to help me with the care without complaint. I obviously wouldn't leave my youngest son unsupervised with the ferrets, so i'm not sure what the issue is.
Peace,
Cherry
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Post by wepamperpets on Jul 7, 2009 15:22:41 GMT -5
some ferrets just might be nippy and need some work with that perhaps? huge reason also could be that shelter is afraid that parents will leave lil kids with the ferrets unatended and afraid they will accidently hurt the ferrets or loose them or ferret may nip at them for reasons kids pinched/pulled/dropped them ect..
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Post by wuvweasels on Jul 7, 2009 19:28:07 GMT -5
One issue with the Balch Springs rescue is that most of their ferrets on petfinder say no small kids. Is there actually a valid reason for this? I'm not sure if i should be honest about having a 3 year old, or just fib on the application. I would ask why they say that without mentioning that you have a young child It could just be that many people are under the impression that ferrets are not good pets for younger children or these particular ferrets may have aggressive/fear biting issues, in which case you may want to reconsider the adoption. I realize biters can be rehabilitated but I personally wouldn't take that on with a toddler in the house (I have a 2.5 year old). I have found that (nip-trained) ferrets are actually great pets for toddlers as their energy levels and insistence on rough housing match up quite nicely We used to have pet rats and I was constantly having to tell my son not to squeeze/hurt/smoosh/smack them. Wubzy, on the other hand, will put up a (clean) fight or just scurry away. Of course, I never leave my son unsupervised with any animal unless it's a snail or rollie pollie LOL. |
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Post by velvetfuzzbutt on Jul 7, 2009 19:44:48 GMT -5
I don't have much experience with TFLC as years have passed since I last chatted with millie. I don't know how set in stone they are with that rule but I like to think they would probably be willing to find a ferret (or ferrets) that are better with children(no biting history) - and have the kids come with you to meet them. while Ferrets are pretty hardy creatures, they are small enough that the pinch or dropping, that a small child is known for may put shelters off. I think talkin ith them over the phone an explaining your ideas, concerns and wishes is usually the way to go. be ware that unless they've changed their practices they do not test for ADV.
Connie, who runs the ferret waystation in Austin is really nice and Goes case by case with family situations. She has also offered in the past to meet people half way or work out ways to adopt further out when she finds good people. If you can't find anything closer she is definetly someone to talk to. Tell her I sent ya!
didn't mean to write a novel! lol
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Post by josiesmom on Jul 7, 2009 19:46:06 GMT -5
Ferrets have the jaw strength equal to that of a medium sized dog. What is a medium sized dog? A Dalmation, a Border collie, a Shar Pei, a Basset Hound, an Australian sheepdog etc. That jaw strength is compounded by the ferret's very pointed canines, which mimic that of a cat.
Ferrets can easily crack open chicken wing and leg bones.
Now picture a three year old's hand with finger bones the same size as or smaller than the afore mentioned chicken bones!
Kids have no fear of small cute fuzzy animals, ferrets have no fear (usually) of small chubby hoomans. Small kid grabs at ferret without the skill to pick it up properly and ferret defends itself with a chomp!
Chomped upon kid throws ferret away and maybe tries to stomp on it in retaliation.
THAT perfectly NORMAL scenario is why ferrets should NOT be in a household with children younger than 8 years old!
DO NOT lie about having the young child. Take your older children to a friend's house that has ferrets, or to a shelter for them to jelp out and learn the REAL truth about having ferrets as pets!
Your youngest will stay safe from harm. A ferret won't end up getting hurt or at the very least unwanted and uprooted to another shelter or home. The older kids will either re affirm their affinity for ferrets or realize ferrets aren't exactly what they wanted.
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Post by Heather on Jul 7, 2009 22:09:33 GMT -5
Bluntly but well put josiesmom. I, as a rescue have a hard time with the child question. I like to think I look at it on a family by family scenario but I'm predispositioned to saying no to young children. I will explain why I don't like to place a ferret with children, I'm sure there are a lot of you who will disagree but look at it closely and please try and see why: I had a ferret who came to me who was seriously injured by a young child, while being supervised I might add, ferrets though resilient are prone to spinal injuries. I refused to place in a family with young children and they went out and bought a breeders ferret....Thor now lives with me and is terrified of small children. He only bites young children. Now, in his case...a couple of things were factors...the major reason why I refused to place with this family, the children were allowed to run and get into everything without a parent telling them no. Do I think they were supervised when dealing with Thor...no. I think they probably drove the poor little sod crazy. The last reason and maybe the most telling. I found one of my guys in serious trouble one day, he was scared and injured and without thinking and hoping to help him I reached out to grab him. He nailed me 5 times in my one hand. I had 5 serious bites, 3 of those bites were to the bone, the other 2 were so deep that they didn't bleed to begin with and my thumb and the muscle controlling the thumb went numb. This happened so fast that I didn't have time to withdraw my hand. This was with a ferret that had never bitten, and never bit again. If this had been a small child those bites that had gone to the bone would have broken the bones of a small child. Mayhem was the sweetest ferret and has been handled by many a person both before and after and he never attempted to bite anyone. I've heard of tales of ferrets having to be removed from a finger, a hand or a toe because they've locked their jaws onto said appendage and will not let go. Children (h*** adults) pull away making the ferret set their teeth. It takes every ounce of my concentration not to pull away when a ferret bites me hard (I deal with hard core biters), I would hardly expect a child to be able to deal with this. On top of that, think of the terror of being bitten by an animal that you love. Children's love is unconditional, until they're hurt...that hurt can last a lifetime  Porthos, my one abused furbaby,came into the rescue so sick he could barely lift his head but he was up to biting the administrator so hard that his main tooth went through her thumbnail and it took them several minutes to get him off. She gave him to me because she couldn't bring herself to handle him. That being said, please if you have a small child don't lie to the rescue people. When you're given a ferret, they have looked at your information, if you leave out a pertinent piece of information they can't cover for what or could happen. Placing a rescue is such a crapshoot anyway. Thor is a perfect ferret for older children (teens) and adults but he hates small children. Ghenghis loves 6 and 7 yr old children and older but reacts with teeth around smaller children. Odin hunts crawling children ( I don't know anything about his past except he came to me intact). Lady "B" is deaf and is perfectly fine if you warn her that you're there, I'm not sure that a 3 yr old child is good at remembering that he/she has to be careful because the ferret can't hear them coming. Children this in this age group are impulsive and we love them for it but ferrets have a tendency to react to quick, jumpy movements even if it's only to play. Ferrets play with their teeth and their claws. They are after all is said and done perfect little hunting machines. Just my opinion of course. I know that ferrets can and do cohabitate with small children successfully and safely. ciao |
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