Informational Links and Contacts for Call to Action re: Triple F Farms - September, 2011

The ferret community jas been alerted via emails from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and a widely disseminated article through the Associated Press of the results of an undercover operation by PETA at Triple F Farms in Pennsylvannia. PETA released a video showing unspeakable acts of cruelty and being perpetrated to the ferrets on the farm housing approximately 6,000 ferrets that are bred and sold for both the pet and research trade.

According to the AP article, an investigation has been undertaken by both the USDA and the PA Dept of Agriculture as of late August, 2011.

Ferret owners and people concerned with the humane treatment of animals are encouraged to write in support of the investigation, and to urge swift and appropriate action as well as FULL DISCLOSURE of the results of the investigation. We are the voices of the defenseless and it is our duty to speak on their behalf and to ensure that a) no laws have been broken and b) that all animals in the facility are treated humanely and with the respect they are due.

We also want to share these suggestions.

Please keep in mind that while signing PETA's form letter is easy; and while sending a few emails is easy; NOTHING is more moving then a heartfelt letter - typed or better yet, handwritten! Those count nearly 10-fold to an email and 100-fold to a form letter!

You DON'T have to be eloquent! You DON'T have to have pages of facts and arguments.

All that is needed is a heartfelt note of how the video made you feel; and if appropriate, a short statement from your children, or your grandkids on how hurtful it is to see and think about what you and they have seen.

BE YOURSELF! Be polite. Just express your concern and emotions. The ACTION is FAR more important than the words!

Write one letter addressed to all and send the same letter to all. SIGN each copy with blue ink so they know it's not a form letter!

AND, if you have a Petland in your area, be sure to drop a copy off there too. Each of us is the only voice these poor defenseless ferrets will ever have!

One final thought. ASK for action. 1) that operations be suspended (or at the least severely curtailed) during the investigation. 2) that results be published broadly and to area humane organizations. 3) What follow-up will occur and how often. and 4) VERY IMPORTANT - that you expect to receive a reply to your letter. (Final sentence - "I expect a timely response from you regarding this letter").

Background Video and AP Article

Peta Report & Video

Associated Press Article

Addresses to contact to respectfully request an investigation into the charges

Tom Vilsack, Secretary
US Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250
202-730-3631

George Greig, Secretary
PA Dept of Agriculture
2301 North Cameron Street, Room 211
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-772-2853 – office
ggreig@state.pa.us

APHIS – cite violations to Animal Welfare Act
Headquarters:
US Department of Agriculture
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
USDA/APHIS/AC
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234
E-mail: ace@aphis.usda.gov
Phone: (301) 734-7833

Eastern Region APHIS

USDA/APHIS/AC
920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27606-5210
E-mail: aceast@aphis.usda.gov
Phone: (919) 855-7100
Fax: (919) 855-7123

Agencies with contracts with Triple F Farms, according to PETA - Contact and POLITELY urge they stop purchasing animals from them! Remember these are US government officials and we are taxpayers.

Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH, Director
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333

Dr. Francis S. Collins, Director
National Institute of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
E-mail: NIHinfo@od.nih.gov
Phone: 301-496-4000,

Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, Commissioner
US Food & Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

Ray Mabus, Secretary
Department of the Navy
2000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20350-2000

Triple F Customers

Neil Padron, President
Petland Discounts
355 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY 11717
Phone: 631.273.6363

Triple F Farms Owner (PLEASE be circumspect and always respectful! The purpose of an investigation is to determine a) if there is truth to the allegations and b) who is responsible. While the owner should be ultimately responsible, our role is to express our concern and to ask for action. Action can be escalated as circumstances unfold. No one pays attention to anger. It is too easy to dismiss! But you cannot dismiss a legitimate inquiry from a potential customer!

Jack Fallenstein, Owner
Triple F Farms
3573 Vetter Rd.
Sayre, PA 18840
E-mail:  ferrets@tripleffarms.com