I work in a local petstore in my city, and we deal exclusively with Marshall farms. I also happen to live in New York and I drive our stock truck for the business, so I have actually been to Marshall farms and worked one on one with several of their staff members to place wayward ferrets and make sure that each ferret is loved dearly.

I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but everything I have seen on the farm is very well taken care of.

It says something to me that no one can find proof of this "study" online. If there's anywhere a study is going to be leaked first it's the internet, so honestly I'm not sure where your vet got his or her numbers.

Also, you have also got to consider that Marshall Farms is the biggest ferret producing farm in the U.S., and they even ship outside of the country. They are going to be under the microscope by organizations such as PETA, so it's not shocking that they have been in there trying to shut them down. In my store we treat each and every animal like it's our own, and we have even had PETA called on us. Pretty much every petstore has.

Just try to take all of the "information" you hear about Marshall's with a grain of salt unless you have some sort of proof that you can see with your own eyes. It's natural instinct to want to trust our vets, but also remember that they are people too, and they have their own opinions.

I own five Marshall Ferrets myself, my mom owns two, and two of my best friends own four. Of these ferrets, only one had an issue, and he was a runt to begin with that we wanted to give a loving home.

I hope this offers another perspective to everyone, and I really look forward to meeting everyone on here Happy Reading!

I am the very proud Mommy of 5 Lovely Ferret Babies:
Bolt
Stryker
Chompa
Little V
And Cooper

2 Mice:
Fern
And Charlotte

And a Chinchilla:
Buster

The other most common commercial ferret farm is Path Valley. They do not mark their ferrets.

Petco should have given you a certificate (rather generic, photocopy) stating from Marshall Farms and that your kit was already spayed or neutered (which is leading cause of adrenal in commercial ferrets is early spay/neuter. Hormones are not permitted to develop.)  If from Path Valley, then you still should have received a paper, (maybe pink still) stating their info, what diet they recommend, and their farm info.

In addition to all my kids from reputable private breeders, I also have kids from Marshall and path Valley, and papers came with the ferret. You can ask your Petco as they will deal with one or the other. More than likely it's Marshall since Petco carries Marshall brand items. Usually it's your small, "mom&pop" shops that carry Path Valley kids and that line of kibble.

Definately look and see if there are 2 tiny ear tattoo dots in your ferret. The dots represent one indicating the spay/neuter was done, and their first distemper vaccine.  You will need to follow up with your vet to complete the kit series of CDV and rabies. Then at one year. But don't over vaccinate, which leads to another area!! I vaccinate 2 weeks apart as ferrets are prone to reaction and you won't know which vaccine caused the reaction if both together like a cat or dog. Ferrets are far more sensitive. They can and will show side effects also. Reaction can be fatal.  Do one vaccine, 2 weeks apart. Then after yearly booster, titers can be done to deem if revaccinating necessary. (due to their fatality risk of reaction) 

Hope all that helps.

                                                                       ~Veronica

Money CAN buy happiness, it can buy SMALL PETS!