Six months after an Animal Justice undercover investigation exposed appalling conditions at a Manitoba ferret mill, dozens of animals have since been rescued by a US-based non-profit organization.
Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Office (CVO) has confirmed the investigation into the facility is ongoing. So far, it seems no animals have been seized by law enforcement officials from the ferret breeder. He continues to sell ferrets through multiple online ads as hundreds of animals are still suffering inside the facility.
A shocking video exposé released by Animal Justice in late January revealed roughly 500 ferrets cruelly confined to filthy wire cages in Melita, Manitoba. According to David Holden, the ferret mill’s owner and operator, it is Canada’s largest.
The breeder sold animals to pet store chains before his appalling treatment of animals came to light. Now it appears he’s turned to unregulated online platforms like Kijiji to try and sell ferrets directly to the public.
US Group, Winnipeg Vets Team Up to Help Ferrets
Fortunately, the owner of the facility agreed to surrender 25 ferrets no longer of use to him, sparing them from his horrifying makeshift gas chamber. Instead, the ferrets were treated by a team of compassionate experts at Winnipeg’s Grant Park Animal Hospital before being transferred to the US-based Ferret Association of Connecticut (FACT).
FACT first learned of the plight of Mr. Holden’s ferrets through Animal Justice’s undercover investigation, and is working with rescuers in New Jersey, Maryland, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Indiana, as well as Connecticut to help give these highly intelligent and gentle ferrets the life they deserve.
Updates shared by FACT on social media show rescued ferrets suffering from serious dental issues and grave health concerns that are finally being treated.
Hundreds of Ferrets Still Suffering
On January 9, 2025, Animal Justice filed a legal complaint with Manitoba’s CVO, prompting the investigation. Yet to date, it appears only ferrets voluntarily surrendered by the breeder have been rescued—leaving the vast majority still suffering at the ferret mill.
Breeder Law Goes Unenforced in Manitoba
While Manitoba has a breeder licensing law on the books, it hasn’t been enforced in over a decade, leaving breeders to operate in the shadows. Breeders of dogs, cats, reptiles, rabbits, and ferrets have been allowed to raise animals in appalling conditions and sell them for profit, with virtually no accountability. When large-scale operations such as this come to light, it can place a significant strain on law enforcement officials to address horrific conditions that never should have been allowed to develop in the first place.
Please join us in Manitoba’s new government to protect animals like these by enforcing breeder licensing requirements.
Banner: Ferret Association of Connecticut