Perhaps one of the most emotionally-charged topics is that of the ethics of animal breeding. North American ferrets have an almost epidemic rate of certain diseases as compared to European or other internationally raised ferrets. In fact, the desperity is such that North American ferrets have a life expectancy (6-7yrs) that is almost half of that of other ferrets (10yrs+) internationally.The question of "why" is so avoidable in many cases that it should be a matter of course as ferret owners and animals lovers that we do things to prevent poor breeding and bad health among our animal populations.

Key issues are overbreeding jills and hobs through manipulation of lighting and secondary concerns (from which many veterinarians speculate as one of the prime causes in the large surge in early deaths among ferrets) for spaying and neutering before kits are fully developed. Responsible breeders do not breed their jills more than once a year and will "retire" them after 2-3 litters. By retire, we mean spay and put them up for adoption. Also, these breeders provide a contract agreement whereby the new owner is contractually obligated to have their ferret spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian before the their first heat (usually sometime after 6 months). One source quoted that: "it's bad for a ferret's health to descent it before 6 or 7 weeks of age, and it may be somewhat harmful when done at any age (Ferret Central)".

We would like to clarify to readers before continuing that F.A.S. does not oppose ferret breeding nor are we stating that there are not ethical breeders in North America. Our intention is to question and examine: i) why North American ferrets have such shorter life expectancies than ferrets internationally; ii) the practice of spaying and neutering before maturity; iii) the practice of descenting; iv) ethical breeding and what it means in North America for both owners and breeders of ferrets (as well as other domesticated animals).

The following links are designed to help readers expand their knowledge on ferret breeding (also called "husbandry") and the ethical issues currently being raised in North America. We at F.A.S. do not necessarily agree with all view points stated on these links, but we wish to provide readers with the opportunity to involve themselves in this very important issue. If you have a link you would like to add for the educational benefit of our visitors, please email us at ferretaid@ferretaid.org. F.A.S. does not take an official stance on boycotts in order to maintain neutrality, but encourages its members to decide for themselves what position and actions they take in the face of unethical* breeding.

Early Neutering/Spaying and Possible Disease Links
Miami Ferret.org - This is a newsgroup file that contains some information.

Descenting
Eau de Ferret - Vetcentric.com article discussing ferret odour.
Another View on Descenting - From the Ferret Information Rescue Shelter & Trust Society

Marshall Farms
Marshall Farms' Dirty Little Secret - PETA informational site on Marshall Farms' history of animal cruelty.
More on Marshall Farms - Marshall Farms does "batch" spaying/neutering and descenting before ferrets have reached eight weeks of age (by then they are often in transit to pet stores). Quote: "During one inspection, it was noted that technicians (not veterinarians) were performing surgeries without using masks or head covers. The inspector stated that a technician actually had hair hanging into the operating field. " Half of all ferrets in Eastern United-States shelters are originally from Marshall Farms.
Independent Ferret News Service - Information and articles regarding the Marhsall Farms controversy.
A Different View - A different view on the Marshall Farms controversy from Ferret Universe.com
Another Secondary View - Yet another different view on Marshall Farms, this time from Ferret Central.org

Pet Stores
PetCo. Employees Speak - Anyone considering buying a pet in a petstore ought to read some of the letters written into PETA by current or former Petco employees. Quote: "Ferrets were always coming in dehydrated, with diarrhea, and they didn’t know how to eat hard food, way too young to be away from their mothers." PetCo is also a Marshall Farms ferret supplier.

General Related Topics
Ferrets First Rebuttal - Written by one of the folks at South Nottingham Ferret Rescue.
Do you want to run a Rescue? - This article contains GRAPHIC IMAGES! Please view it at your own discretion.
No Politics, or No Principals? - Reprinted from the August 1994 issue of The INDEPENDENT VOICE. Please note you will need to scroll down to se the article.

By unethical F.A.S. means breeding practices that endanger the health and wellbeing of the animals and their offspring.