From:
"April Armstrong Campbell"
Date: 2003-02-24 23:25:55 UTC
Subject: RE: Breeding ferrets
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2895772.1046202741413.JavaMail.nobody@magnesium>
"I have had ferret's as pet's for several years and have become
VERY FOND of them and there habit's. I am now thinking about
becoming a breeder of ferrett's. Can anyone give me a basic idea
of what is required and how to breed without giving specific
names of groups. Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thank
you!"
Hi. I understand the sentiment behind this wish, but I would say-don't!
There are already far too many unwanted ferrets languishing in shelters,
and
worse, being euthanised because shelters and Humane Societies can't
afford
them when no one adopts them. There are already so many breeders
out there
that mass-produce them, it's really best if you don't add to the
overpopulation.
My two cents!
-April AC
{Moderators' note: We have decided to let this through because the
point is a valid one, but it is not a health reply, so any further replies
need to be confined the types of health problems people have
encountered when breeding: genetic disorders, novice mothers eating
kits' toes accidentally when grooming, malignancies or infections of the
testes, ovaries, or uterus, failure to produce milk causing kit deaths, etc.
All of these and more health problems have been mentioned a number
of times in the past in many places and need to be seriously considered.
Anyone wishing to discuss non-health aspects should, please, contact
the posters privately. Thanks.]