Each year approximately 15,000 ferrets are raised and slaughtered for their fur. The bulk of ferret fur farming takes place in Finland (11,000 a year), though a small number of these ranches exist in Sweden, New Zealand, Poland and the United States.

In the fur farming industry, animals are not viewed as living creatures with interests of their own, but rather as agricultural commodities. Profit is the objective of ferret fur farming. Fur ranchers look to maximize profit by reducing overhead expenses. This is accomplished by raising as many animals as possible, in the smallest space possible.

Ferrets and mink are commonly confined in tiny, wire mesh cages, with no physical or mental stimulation at all. These cages range from 10 to 12 inches in width to 24 to 30 inches in length. At some farms cages are as small as 7 inches in width.

Keeping animals in such miserable conditions is bound to cause behavioral disorders. The stress from such confinement breaks down the animal's immune system. Being kept in such close proximity to one another also makes it easier for disease to spread from one animal to another. Perhaps this explains why a study of ferret fur farms in Poland found that 65% of the animals were diseased. This study was reported on in the February 1998 issue of Scientifur, a publication that reports on fur industry funded research.

In late November the ferrets are slaughtered. This is when their fur becomes "prime", or reaches its highest commercial value. Ferrets are piled into airtight gas chambers that are then filled with carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. In the case of carbon monoxide, this is sometimes supplied through the exhaust pipe of an automobile or a tractor. This causes a stressful, painful death. Recent research out of Oxford University has shown that carbon dioxide gassing causes considerable stress to mink, the ferrets close cousin.

Because many consumers have an aversion to wearing the skins of animals that they consider "pets", the fur industry markets ferret fur as "fitch fur". When you see a mink coat with fitch trim around the cuffs, you know that you are looking at the skin of a dead ferret (as well as about 40 dead mink if this is a full-length coat).

Some progress is being made to shut down this awful trade. As recently as 1996, 41,000 ferrets were raised and killed on Finnish fur farms. That number is now down to 11,000 in Finland, 15,000 internationally. Anti fur campaigns have caused a drastic reduction in the demand for fur coats, and this has brought skin prices down. Many fur farms have gone out of business.

Yet many high profile companies such as Neiman Marcus and Burlington Coat Factory continue to sell fur products. A phone call to Neiman Marcus revealed that some of their fur departments do in fact carry "fitch fur". You can let Neiman Marcus know what you think about the sale of fur by calling them toll free, at 1-800-937-9146. Please ask them to stop selling all fur products. Many of the most highly exploited furbearing animals are close relatives to the ferret. This includes mink, sable, river otter, weasel, pine marten and stone marten.

This is an industry that kills 40 million animals a year, for nothing more than human vanity. There is no logical justification for slaughtering animals just to make frivolous, luxury products.

Please join the movement to stop this bloody industry!

For more information you can go to :: www.banfur.com :: or :: www.infurmation.com :: Also, please feel free to join the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade. Membership is $20 a year. CAFT supports the rescue of ferrets from deplorable conditions, and the prosecution of those who abuse these wonderful animals. JP Goodwin Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade PO Box 822411 Dallas, TX 75382 CAFT13@aol.com

Sources for this article include the Finnish Fur Breeders Associations web page (www.stkl.fpf.fi), the February 1998 issue of Scientifur, Mink Production by Gunnar Jorgensen, the September 26, 1998 issue of The Veterinary Record and communication with people in Sweden and New Zealand who confirm the presence of ferret fur farms in their countries.