[tijlover]

That helps explains why there's a shortage of Ferrets today, as I'm being told they're using them for Covid testing, and after the testing they're euthanized.

I've had ferrets for 27 years, and after my Sparky died suddenly, I did a lot of research into alternatives like parakeet, rabbits, gerbils, but the cons outweighed he pro's.

There's a waiting list of 50 to adopt a ferret at the Tucson ferret shelter, but I contacted the Phoenix Ferret Shelter and she's got 20 up for adoption, but she's not adopting any during the Xmas season to avoid parents buying one for a Xmas present, and the adoptions will resume after 1/1.

So I'm encouraged, that I'll have me another Ferret in my life by next month.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I suspect that is one of those urban myths because you are the only person I know of who has heard about it. I suspect you heard about it on the internet.

[tijlover]

Info came from talking to the women that heads up the Ferret shelters. Ferret owners are in the minority, so if you don't know a ferret owner, how would you know.

I just don't think it's fair, as they should be also be testing on dogs and cats.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by tijlover

Info came from talking to the women that heads up the Ferret shelters. Ferret owners are in the minority, so if you don't know a ferret owner, how would you know.........

I have owned ferrets.


Medical testing is not done on animals bought from pet stores.

[fluffythewondercat]

^ This is true. Animals for testing are bred for that purpose.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

^ This is true. Animals for testing are bred for that purpose.

True. Labs that test various substances (such as a virus, vaccine, medication) on animals need to minimize the physical variation in those animals. If they don't, they can never be certain some test result was only due to the substance being evaluated and was NOT influenced by some genetic trait this or that animal happened to have. Taking random animals of unknown heredity from pet shops or shelters would defeat the purpose.

[tijlover]

The majority of ferrets come from Marshall Farms.

[K12144]

Is this the first time you've ever heard of things being tested on animals? I don't suggest googling it. As animal testing goes, this sounds pretty mild.

Trust me, plenty of things are tested on cats and dogs. Rabbits. Monkeys. Mice and rats. Pigs. Plenty of others. Don't worry, it's very "fair," if that kind of thing matters to you; there's enough suffering for everybody.

[tijlover]

I thought for sure I was going to acquire a ferret tomorrow and it all fell through. No ferrets in Tucson, not even at the Shelter, and there's a waiting list at the shelter, and a waiting list at Petco, which I'm on.

When I lived in Las Vegas 22 years, when I lost one of my ferrets, I'd simply go down to Pet Kingdom and they Always had ferrets for sale. I called them Thursday and they said they had 22 for sale. So I booked a flight for tonite to fly up there, and acquire one when they opened at noon on Monday, but I called this afternoon, not wanting to make a wasted trip, and they were down to 3, which might be gone by the end of the day.

For those that have never owned a ferret, they're shocked at how popular these little critters are. Go on Youtube on the Ferret sites and you'll see how popular they are.

So until this covid testing on ferrets ends, there's going to be a shortage. So I'll just patiently wait for the opportunity to buy one. Perhaps the waiting list isn't too long.

[ocoilslick]

Ferrets in CA are illegal as pets due to the potential damage to farm crops. Not seen the Ferret police around lately, so you may have something here.