A major US-based ferret rescue group has stepped up and pledged $50,000 USD to help hundreds of suffering animals at a Manitoba ferret breeding mill. The cruel breeding operation supplies animals to pet stores, such as Nature Pet stores in Quebec, and sells directly to buyers on sites like Kijiji.
The Ferret Association of Connecticut (FACT), one of the oldest and most respected ferret rescue organizations in the US, pledged the money to provide critical support to any seized or rescued ferrets, including funding for veterinary care, transport, and placing the animals in suitable homes. The group would also leverage its nationwide network of shelters and veterinarians to facilitate a rescue effort, if authorities choose to act.
Earlier this year, Animal Justice exposed appalling conditions at the ferret mill in Melita, Manitoba—likely the largest in Canada. We saw around 500 ferrets crammed into overcrowded wire cages caked in dust and feces, suffering from extreme weather exposure, disease, and even attacks by wild animals.
Animal Justice submitted a legal complaint to Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Office (CVO) nearly two months ago, urging authorities to investigate and seize the ferrets being kept in cruel and unlawful conditions. While the CVO has confirmed it is investigating, it refuses to share any other details, and it seems that no animals have been removed.
Advocates Urge Petland To Stop Selling Ferrets From Breeders
This weekend, Manitoba Animal Save held a protest outside a Winnipeg Petland store, where advocates showed powerful images of the abused ferrets. Concerned citizens urged Petland to stop selling ferrets and other animals from breeders, and to instead partner with shelters to help abandoned animals find forever homes, as they do with cats.
Manitoba’s Breeder Licensing Crisis
Over a decade ago, Manitoba quietly stopped licensing companion animal breeders—allowing facilities like this ferret mill to operate with virtually no oversight. Breeders of dogs, cats, reptiles, and small animals like ferrets and rabbits can breed large numbers of animals in filthy, unhealthy conditions behind closed doors—and when these animals are abandoned or seized by authorities, animal rescue groups are left to shoulder the burden.
Help Save Suffering Ferrets
These ferrets are in desperate need of rescue, and with FACT’s kind donation of resources, the time for action is now. Animal Justice continues to call on the CVO to move swiftly to ensure these suffering animals get the care and protection they deserve.
Please join us in urging the Manitoba government to intervene and rescue these ferrets, and finally start enforcing breeder licensing.