My Pet World: Readers share their thoughts
I love that when I Goggled 'ferrets in California,' you were the third link that came up. I'm glad you pointed out the obvious and didn't sugarcoat public officials' wrong-headed position. Thank you for putting yourself out, and the word out, to help educate people." -- L.L., via cyberspace
MY REPLY: I'm glad Google and you like me, but I'm unhappy that public officials in California remain steadfast about the ban, for no particular reason, as ferrets are hardly a public danger. The concern, I believe, is that if ferrets get loose they'll form colonies (like feral cats), increase in numbers and impact the environment.
Nearly all pet ferrets are spay/neutered (making reproduction a challenge). There isn't an example of a ferret colony in the U.S., although ferrets are legal in all other states (except Hawaii). In fact, when they do get outdoors, they die.
California ferret owners who don't seek veterinary care are either misinformed or offering an excuse, as select veterinarians in California do treat these little guys, usually without incident.
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COMMENT: "Fat pets need more exercise, less love. I keep telling owners of fat dogs and cats that their pets are suffering. Your columns and comments about overweight pets should go viral and be posted at every vet and groomer office, and on their Facebook pages." -- L.C., via cyberspace
MY REPLY: Indeed, over half of all pet dogs and cats are overweight or obese, which does impact their quality of life, and potentially their lifespan. Feel free to share my columns and subscribe to my blog: www.chicagonow.com/stevedale.
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COMMENT: "You don't write enough about what you do, sometimes behind the scenes, for pet health, from encouraging veterinary visits (which saves lives) to creating the Ricky Fund. I'm one grateful veterinarian, if nothing else, for the content you provide for our Facebook page." -- F.S., Las Vegas, NV
MY REPLY: Thanks for the kind words. I named the Ricky Fund for our cat, who died in 2002 of the most common heart disease in cats, feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We've since raised about $100,000 to fund studies with the Winn Feline Foundation to better understand the disease. The hope is to eventually find a treatment.
Researchers have created an inexpensive cheek swab test to discern if an individual Maine Coon or Ragdoll cat carries the genetic defect, but there's much more to be done. Learn more at www.winnfelinefoundtion.org.
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COMMENT: "I'm allergic to pets -- and allergic to you. Stop it!" -- B.F., via cyberspace
MY REPLY: I can offer you an antihistamine, and a tissue, but that's about all.
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