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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 15:51:50 GMT -5
Wow Bev you go to great lengths to stay objective and keep your reputation as a judge! I think that's really cool.
Not to get off-topic, but you mentioned the communal litterboxes. That brings up a question: When you go to a show, how do you typically handle the litterbox situation? Do they give you a space where you can set up a cage or something? Aren't there booths and stuff to see at the show where you might want to walk around? Do you just carry the ferret around with you, on a harness, etc?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 16:10:46 GMT -5
>So let me get this right, and I may be totally left of center and have totally misunderstood this but a group of breeders, not the AFA decide if you're a legitimate ferretry or not?
This group is a private group. Group of breeders or someone that wants to get into breeding ferrets. Here they post on number topics on breeding. It’s not related to non profit organization.
BUT
Some forum members are members of the non profit organization. Show their ferrets.
Why it wasn’t posted on the non profit organization web site before hand. Is question for the non profit org.
>AFA decide if you're a legitimate ferretry or not?
They have a banned breeder list. As far as I know there no official formal document on rules and/or dealing with misconduct or offense. Document like this should be in placed before banning any breeder. After all, is it a way of protecting the domestic ferret.
>Unless you are a member of this "breeders group" you don't have access to the ferretry listings?
Request can be make via email to the non profit organization requesting a list of banned breeder(s).
But, then again…how would you know, if this list was available to you as a member of non profit org.
Show goer are aware of this list. As it’s mention in the show packet.
But what about the non show goers? No, they are not showing their ferrets.
I would think they would be entitled to this information. How would they know that such list is available to them as a member of non profit organization?
It’s a another tool/avenue to research that breeder before purchasing a ferret from them.
As far as list of ferretry. 2008 was kickoff for the donor level membership. Under the breeder’s donor level, one perk is text listing on AFA web site for 1 year. That page is still not available on line.
For breeder referrals you need to email them. Why?
>You can't register your ferretry name unless you're an accepted member of this group?
No, you need to request the 2008 AFA Registered Ferretry Name Program document from the non profit organization.
>If you don't have access to this list how do you know that you're not stealing someone else's ferretry name?
As, I mention above this request should be coming from the non profit organization. Not group. As this document belongs to the non profit organization.
Document like this should be post on the web site, so it’s available for all their members.
With the Technology we have now…it’s so easy to get this information out to member.
>What makes a ferretry? The number of shows? the number of ferrets bred? the number of ferrets in house?
Good question.
I enjoy going to shows, meeting new people. It was getting old...same old stuff, same attitudes. Shows were not fun for me anymore. When shows don't become fun or boring. It's time to move on.
I still keep in contact with my friends that I have met at the shows.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 19:57:06 GMT -5
wow bev, communal litter box's?? Thats just insane and cannot believe people would allow their ferrets to go in that, so many illness and disease to be picked up!! And then walking around on the harness, not only someone could easily step on them but the disease and illness issue again. Our shows, no ferrets are allowed on the ground at any time, no walking on harness, no communal litter box's. Between each ferret the judges sanitize their hands and tables. Mikey, when you go to the show, there are bunch of tables set up for you to put your travel/show cage on and carriers, there is also room on the ground for you to put up a play pen where you sit. All playpens must have a matt, linoleum, or something to cover the floor at all times. When in the title class (breeder, adolescent, alter, companion) ferrets go up in a carrier to show. All carriers are required to have a secured litter box with proper litter in it. Also in the carrier you are required to have bedding like a crate matt and blankies, can put a sleep sack in but are not allowed hammocks (too hard to get them out). Also each ferret is given a tag with their own number, you attach the number to the carrier, and you put the carrier on the "drop off" table. After judges all done, they will place the ferret on the "pick up" table with their 3 score cards. When we want to go look around at the booths ect.. , we put our ferrets in the carrier, or in their play pen. You could walk around with your ferret but the ferret has to be held all times, cannot have them on ground. Typically I leave my ferrets in the cage/pen because some people want to touch my ferret, and thats a huge no no for me! (dont want my kids to possibly be exposed to anything)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 20:33:07 GMT -5
mikeybox if you have a chance to attend a show go for it. I am sure you will have fun. Your kids will always be number one to you. Shows are not the only place to meet new people, share your love for ferrets (etc.) International Ferret Congress in the past have some really nice symposium. Lots of fun and very educational. ferretcongress.org/ So watch for their announcements for future symposium. I had a blast in Toronto Canada. How about starting a ferret club in your area? If you have local ferret shelter in your area. Get involved. We had a nice fundraiser for a shelter this past October. "Christmas in October" We all have fun and raised money for the shelter.
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Post by Heather on Dec 20, 2011 20:55:51 GMT -5
I really wish they would come back to Toronto, the ones in the US are just too far to attend.....It was a lot of fun...you were there? ciao
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2011 21:22:47 GMT -5
Yes, I attend the Ferret Aid in Toronto 2006. Lots of great memories.
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Post by crazylady on Dec 21, 2011 16:49:33 GMT -5
Oh renee believe me communal ferret boxes are seen all over the world I wont mention which show it was at but at one show I judged ( and there was a so called vet in attendance ) i picked up a a screaming ferret to judge only to find it had a severe ear infection which had stuck its ear to its head so every time it moved its head it tore at its skin ! ( it took a lot of hydrogen peroxide and some wet wipes for me to un stick it !) I too clean my hands and the table after each ferret I have even seen jills in season brought to the table and walked around then they wonder why the judge gets bitten by the next big young hob that comes in disinfectants cant clear the air ! all I can do is talk to organisers offer advice and try and make shows better in the future ( and hopefully ferrets lives and diets ) I am puzzled as to who decides who is allowed on this breeders list and who decides who is blacklisted ? is it a case of if you upset one then your out ? or is a vote taken and if so by who? who gives them the right to blacklist or ban a breeder ? I can understand bans being given at shows if a competitor is found to be cheating but a ban from one show does not mean you can never show again surely ? who could police something like this ? and who has the right to decide who is and who is not a good breeder ? especially as this is not a organisation like the kennel club where people pay to register there animals and can only attend top shows if they obtain the correct number of certificates I must confess this really has me scratching my head lol take care bye for now Bev
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 18:10:21 GMT -5
Does anyone bring multiple ferrets at once to the show? If so, what kind of cage do you use? How do you manage, for example if I wanted to bring all 3 of my fuzzies to the show? Is that even allowed? Does each needs its own carrier?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 19:54:55 GMT -5
Bev, the few banned breeders that are listed, they seem to have to do something pretty awful to be banned. You can contact AFA to find out who is banned, there isn't many of them. For example the DMK breeder was banned, everyone seen what they did to all those poor ferrets, it was disgusting. DMK when they were breeding, use to sell their ferrets at the flea market not too far from me, you should of seen the disgusting care! Breeders like that are on the list. Now say you adopt a ferret from the banned breeder list, like in a shelter or something. You could show them, only if they are spayed or neutered. They can only be shown as alters.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 20:04:22 GMT -5
Does anyone bring multiple ferrets at once to the show? If so, what kind of cage do you use? How do you manage, for example if I wanted to bring all 3 of my fuzzies to the show? Is that even allowed? Does each needs its own carrier? Most people show more then one, and bring more then one to the show with them. If all your 3 ferrets get along, bring a play pen with you and let them all play in the pen all day. You can just put them in the pen, and wont need a cage in the hall, just your play pen and carriers. People that have multiples, and their ferrets dont all get along, most bring the small collapsible martins cages, and a play pen. Ferrets take turns in the play pen for exercise. Not sure how many you would plan to show in title class, but if you were showing all there I'd bring 2-3 carriers. If your only showing one in title class just bring 1 carrier. Each of your ferrets don't need their own carrier, they call the numbers out in "heats" so for example hobs 1-10... after they judge them hobs 11-20, ect... so often your only using one or 2 carriers at a time. If you only had 2 showing for example, if they are showing and you want to bring your other along, as long as they are up to date on their ADV test too, and vaccines, you can bring them in with you. Or if the show is in the hotel, you can leave the ferrets that are not showing in the hotel room. I always bring mine all in, unless I have a elderly ferret, then I leave them in the room so they have their peace and quiet.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 20:18:36 GMT -5
What I have for the shows: Martins small collapsible cage Small Collapsible Carrier (CC-2414) (If you order call them first and tell them to add a door on the side!!) I did always use the Marshalls 8 pannel play pen, with the matt of course. The only down fall the the matt's for the pen, is that you can put them in washer, and after a while when you have whole hobs in season, they get kinda stinky ;D then I got to throw the matt away and get a new one. I recently bought a Marins Play pen that has a pan with it (its not the one on his website, but similar). He isn't advertising them on the web site yet, so you would have to call him to order, but they are nice play pens with a plastic base so you can clean them easy. They also have a lid that flips all the way open, so you can get in there easy and ferrets that climb cant get out!! Any Martins cages, just so you know, they do come in a variety of colors you can custom order all you got to do is call and talk to him about what color. For carrier many people use the PetMate Double door carrier, size medium www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Petmate-Medium-Two-door-Deluxe-Kennel/5634919/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&adtype=pla&kw={keyword}You can buy these in store at pets mart and pet co. They come in a variety of colors. These carriers are awesome! They also fit a show box in them, what we do is bolt a shoe box in them, then put another shoe box inside the one bolted in, so that the box can easily be removed. The shoe box we use as a litter box, it works perfect!! My toughest hob couldn't even flip or move this box
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 22:46:01 GMT -5
shoe box....not cardboard.
She talking about using plastic size shoe box.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 23:10:46 GMT -5
Here is the back of the crate, with the bolt I use a thick bolt, its longer then that, we cut it off the extra then file it smooth. The bolt is a flat head bolt, it has to be a flat head on the inside so the second box fits in nice. Here is what it looks like inside, after you bolt it then put the second box inside the first. That way the ferrets cant mess with the bolt, and you can lift the second one up to dump and clean. Here is another view of the crate, with the litter box in, and a crate pad These carriers with the shoe box bolted in them are awesome for anyone to use when traveling with ferrets. Also I get my plastic shoe box's at the dollar store, wallmart, big lots. They are only $1 (you need two) My crate pads, I get them from a vendor at AKC dog shows. They have awesome crate pads that fit perfect, best place to get them.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2011 23:56:52 GMT -5
Awesome this is great info!!! I put a shoebox like that in my carrier before but it was such a pain securing it and then taking it out to clean etc. I never thought of the idea of putting in 2 boxes so you can put 1 inside the other, this is such a great idea!!
Now, just to make sure, what size of pet carrier is this?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2011 7:13:49 GMT -5
All my carriers are setup the way Renee's pictures are posted. Not only do they work for shows.
*They work great for vet's visits.
*Have a carrier setup in case of emergency. Need to get your ferrets out. (if you have a shed or attached garage, your car.) Have one setup. You can wrap the carrier in large plastic bag to keep it clean.
*Use a carriers when on long car trips. Lets not forget to use the seat beat or secure your carrier in place.
No one can for see what lies ahead of them when they are on the road.
Do not let your ferrets run loose in the car.
Remember, you share the road with other drivers. Take your eyes off the road, it only takes a split second to cause a accident.
You also have to look out for the other drivers, animals crossing the road, bad weather...etc.
If you ever get into a bad accident, while traveling with your animals. (I do not wish this on anyone).
What if a rescue unit needs to get you out of car. As soon as they open that door....who do think will be the first one out?
Having them in carriers will be much easier to get your animals out of the crash.
They will also be in a smaller and contain area, if by chance they get throw and / or toss around in a accident. (such as a vehicle being roll over) .
Your rescue people will focus on the human life first before the animals.
Please don't feel sorry, that they will be coop up for long time in the car. They will survived.
Only you can provide the safety for your animals when traveling.
You can never replace a human or animal life.
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