Issuu

A publication of MARSHALL PET

F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 | I S S U E N O . 6

RETAIL SUPPLEMENT G E T T I P S F R O M T H E P R O S O N H OW TO B E ST S E L L MAR S H ALL P R O D U CTS

ALBINO HIGHLIGHT STO R I E S F R O M TH E I R H U MAN C O M PAN I O N S & WHY TH EY AR E RA R E

INTRODUCING A NEW FERRET INTO AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS W IT H T H E MAR S H ALL F E R R ET P R O F E S S I O NAL P H OTO G RAP H E R

2 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 | I S S U E N O . 6

FEATURES

From developing the best practices for breeding, to developing the freshest and highest quality nutrition, to creating a catalog of products to fulfill all aspects of the ferrets’ lives and behaviors, the ferrets have guided our efforts. Our company of ferret enthusiasts works to engage and educate every household that chooses a ferret to be part of their family with the knowledge we have learned.

AWESOME ALBINOS

TIPS ON FERRET PROOFING YOUR HOME

HOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW FERRET INTO A BUSINESS

Our issue highlight starts with the story of Fabulous Falcor and continues with what makes these ferrets so special. We celebrate them with a special #AlbinoFelfie Friday and #AlbinoFeatureFerret.

AMANDA ALTMAN Editor AAltman@MarshallPet.com T

Bringing home a new ferret is exciting. Make sure that their space is safe with these tips on how to ferret-proof your home.

Making sure the entire business is healthy, happy and accepting of the new addition is important before leaving your business unattended together.

800. 292. 3424

ABOUT THE COVER

Congratulations to Jessi Richman and their sweet Chowder boy.

MARSHALL PET PRODUCTS Wolcott, NY 14590

“He’s such a sweet, quirky baby! He’s got the BEST dance moves and is such a love bug.”

Monday – Friday 8am–4pm www.MarshallPet.com

Jessi and Chowder will receive a prize package worth over $100 and 10 copies of this magazine as the winner of our March Cover Contest. Keep up with our social media for current contests and news. Follow, like and share @MarshallPetFerrets.

800. 292. 3424 E ferrets@MarshallPet.com FB @MarshallPetFerrets T

MEET TANYA AND CRIS IN SALES

You’ll find these friendly faces on the floor of all of our tradeshows, on the road visiting our retail partners and working with distributors all over North America to bring Marshall ferrets and your favorite Marshall Pet Products to retailers near you. - photo taken at #GPE2019

SUPPLEMENT 15

SETTING A SECTION

TIPS FOR RETAIL

TIPS FOR E-COM M ERCE

SUM M ER BEST SELLERS

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

2FT MARSHALL SECTION

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 3

LETTER FROM the PRESIDENT

reetings from Marshall Pet Products Headquarters. I sincerely hope that this message finds you and your ferrets doing well. Navigating through the pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us personally and professionally. We are very thankful for all the support these last 15 months. What we witnessed was quite amazing — ferrets, dogs, cats, reptiles, fish, and other variety of pets were welcomed and adopted by so many families. We have heard the stories countless times that your pets helped you get through the pandemic better than just about anything else and we saw that first hand!

As originally planned, the cover of this issue is the winner of a photo contest we held on Facebook back in March. I want to congratulate Jessi Richman and thank her for the inspiration for our albino ferret highlight in this special double issue. Falkor’s story starts on page 4 and will touch your heart as it did mine. There is something so special about these rare creatures. Find out what on page 7 and share your obsession with others on pages 8 and 9 with a special #AlbinoFelfieFriday and #AlbinoFeatureFerret. This issue has a special supplement created for our retail partners. Get tips on setting a branded section in a retail store (page15), tips on selling in store (page16) and tips for selling online (page17). There are exclusive offers for our retail and distribution partners for our two newest products on pages 20 & 21. And sandwiched in between (pages18-19) is a spread of our Summer Best Sellers. We hope that you enjoy this edition of our FQ issue and want to thank you for your support! Sincerely,

Peter Reid

President

s s u u o o l l u u b b a a FF r r o o k k l l a a FF 4 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

By: Tye Lombardi

Falkor came into my life on the 27th of October in 2020. My best friend is a veterinarian who works in a small rural town in Idaho. Earlier in the week someone had come in with a ferret they said they had found wandering the streets. Unfortunately, Falkor was surrendered. He was in bad shape. This little albino ferret was severely underweight, had lost most of the fur on his back and had multiple deep scratches and scrapes from, what looked like, a fight with another animal. During his stay at the clinic, the veterinarian made sure Falkor got all his vaccinations. Falkor also had some basic blood analysis tests done as well. It was discovered that his fur loss was most likely due to adrenal disease. A large mass was also found in his stomach, which indicated he was dealing with lymphoma. After the examination, the veterinarian estimated his age to be between 7 and 8 years old. Sadly, poor Falkor had most likely been abandoned by his owners who did not want to deal with these conditions or his slow decline. The clinic kept Falkor for five days to ensure no owner came in looking for him. On the sixth day he was officially declared a stray. My veterinarian friend, knowing how much I love ferrets and that I already had a small business of three, asked if I would be willing to foster him and help get him back onto the road to full health. An elderly ferret such as Falkor, with conditions such as adrenal disease and lymphoma, deserves a loving and caring family that is willing to adapt to a different form of care compared to a ferret that does not have these issues.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 5

The day I picked up Falkor, I was extremely emotional. Even with five days of excellent care from the clinic, he was still not looking well. At the time he was still being called the “unnamed ferret.” With only a glance, I knew that he deserved an awesome name — Falkor, after the white luck dragon in The Neverending Story. I figured he could use all the help we could give to get him back to a healthy weight and fulfilling life. This includes a fitting name as a first step to this goal. The first thing I did when I got Falkor home, was isolate him from the rest of my business. I wanted to make sure he was able to adapt to the new environment with extra warmth, rest and hearty meals. I also started giving him liquid melatonin daily, along with massaging his sensitive and irritated skin with coconut oil and antibiotic cream. Within a few days his skin began improving and fur started growing back in. As he put on weight, his ribs became less visible which made him look much healthier.

Slowly but surely, with a safe space and comfort, his spunky personality began to emerge. As a dark-eyed albino ferret, Falkor is totally deaf, which made him the perfect wingman for my trips out into town as he could not complain about my horrible taste in music. He quickly became my favorite co-pilot. His favorite thing to do was to settle into his bed in my car and fall asleep as we drove around. Running a small animal rescue, I routinely head out to pick up orphan and injured animals such as squirrels and mice. Falkor often tags along on these rides with me. I sure did love having the company. Falkor loved zooming around my parents’ spacious basement as fast as his elderly legs would allow him. Since his back legs were weak due to a spinal tumor, we got him tiny vinyl nail caps to help with extra traction and grip. Falkor spent his first Thanksgiving with my family and me. He snoozed away the day showing off his sparkly pink nail caps.

As Christmas drew closer, we discovered an interesting fact about Falkor. He was obsessed with Christmas trees and lights! I would often come downstairs to discover him sound asleep beneath the tree. Because of this, we nicknamed him the Christmas Ferret and got him a tiny Santa hat. To celebrate, we placed a miniature Christmas tree with lights in his living pen. We always found him snoozing away underneath it. It was truly adorable. Falkor’s gentle nature and sweet disposition made him the perfect ambassador for our ferrets. I really enjoyed taking him to different places to introduce him to people who may not know much about ferrets.

6 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

In December 2020, we were guests on a local animal show and Falkor stole the broadcast with his sweet smile, Santa hat and snowman sweater. By this time Falkor had grown back all his fur, doubled in weight and had even gotten an adrenal implant gift from Santa for Christmas. With realization of how much I loved him, we decided to give him a permanent home with us. I could not bear the thought of letting him go anywhere else. He was a part of the business and had become friends with my other fur babies Gus-Gus, Winston and Emmett Otter. He also became good buddies with my elderly chihuahua Mr. Pippers. I would often find Pip and Falkor snuggling together in Falkor’s pen. Falkor truly was an amazing ferret. From a scared, starved, injured shadow of a ferret to a fat, happy, safe and loved one. Even though he was an older soul, he was still full of life and spunk. He was so kind and gentle. I honestly do not know who was luckier. Falkor, being rescued from a tragic and stressful life, or mewho was lucky enough to find this amazing ferret. I knew my time with him was shorter than I wanted it to be, so I took every day as a gift and am so thankful for every second I had him in my life. Sadly, Falkor passed away peacefully in my arms after a valiant fight against adrenal disease and lymphoma on April 18, 2021. Thank you for allowing me to honor him by sharing his story with you all.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 7

WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT ALBINO FERRETS? Albino ferrets are born with a unique genetic mutation that keeps their bodies from producing pigments in the skin and eyes. This alluring physical appearance is the result of an albinism related recessive gene. Both parents must carry this gene in order for albino offspring to be born. And even then, having two parentcarriers doesn’t guarantee that the kit will be albino!

Albinism in domestic ferrets looks like: Entirely white or pink Keratin-based body parts such as hair, skin, and nails Pink or red eyes (found in a full albino ferrets) Genetics: While full and leucistic albinism in ferrets severely reduces or entirely eliminates the ferret’s ability to produce color on various parts of the body, a partial condition will generally leave coloration intact. Because of the lack of pigment in their bodies, albino ferrets are susceptible to some adverse health conditions. Albino ferrets are more likely to develop skin sensitivities. Melanin acts more than just a barrier for the sun’s harmful rays, it serves as an antioxidant. It is not uncommon for an albino ferret that is sensitive to light to have trouble tracking moving object or blindness. These conditions can vary in intensity since there are several forms of this congenital defect.

With the increased possibility of problematic skin, there are some precautions one should take when grooming an albino ferret. Ferrets groom themselves for the most part. It is encouraged that you do not bath your ferret more than once a month, especially an albino. Excessive bathing could trigger dryness and yellowing of a white coat.

DID YOU KNOW? That it is estimated that one in every 20,000 ferrets born is albino.

8 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

#ALBINOFELFIEFRIDAY

Cindy Grande

Frank Miller

Cory Stafford

Liss Jones

Rachel Staton Wood

Jay Hufty

Abril Aguirre Osuna

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 9

#ALBINOFEATUREFERRETS

DAWN MCPHERSON BINZEN Two of these fur-butts belong to my niece and the other two belong to us. They love having sleepovers and playdates with their cousins.

JAY HUFTY This is my handsome albino boy, Rasputin, on his first adventure to the Potomac River. He is one of six ferrets that I inherited after their mom passed away and her wish was for me to take them in.

JORDAN RENNER This is Dex. He loves running around and loves to play his brother Kai.

ALYSSA RIORDAN Swiper and Remi are such sweet animals and wonderful companions. I was lonely and needed a pet. Swiper came into our life and then we found Remi. That was eight years ago. We love them so much.

Our sweet albino boy Snowball is an amputee. He suffered a femur fracture when he was just a baby and after attempting a few different splinting and casting options over a few weeks’ time, it was decided that he would have a better quality of life by removing the leg. He is almost 3 now and loving life. He never misses his leg at all… unless he has an itchy ear and then we are happy to assist him with it.

1 0 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

TIPS ON FERRET PROOFING YOUR HOME GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR

Crawl around on the floor like you are a ferret yourself. Think about places that you could squeeze out of to freedom and things that could harm you if you got stuck. All wires should be wrapped and secured, all cabinets locked and anything that they could chew, tear and swallow should be removed.

NOW, LOOK UP

They are very smart little creatures. If there is a way to leap from one piece of shorter furniture to a taller piece in order to escape, they will figure it out. Wherever their space is, make sure that ottomans, stools, chairs and tables are not close.

SCREENS AREN’T ENOUGH

Screened in doors and windows are not enough to hold in a ferret. Ferrets love to dig and chew and a standard household screen is no match for a determined Marshall ferret! If you must use a screen for air flow and ventilation, then we highly recommend a the Marshall Better View Ferret-Proof Gate.

BE AWARE OF POTENTIAL DANGERS

There is potential danger everywhere in your home. Accidents can happen in a split second. The best defense is awareness and knowledge. The more you know and understand, the better you can protect and live peacefully alongside your ferret.

Marshall Better View Ferret-Proof Gate.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 11

Ask a FERRET When the weather warms and the days get longer, we are motivated to do some spring cleaning. We crack the windows, get out the ferret’s arch nemesis (the vacuum cleaner) and get to work. When you move the couch, reach under the bed and look behind the dresser, what are you finding? Tell us your

ferret’s favorite things to steal and stash. Alexis Brumm

Jessica Roberts My daughter has these bright, really chunky beaded necklaces that our ferret just loves. He steals them off of her dresser and takes them to one of his two stash spots.

Our ferret stole my wedding day garter belt from my suitcase when I was unpacking from being away! I let her have it :)

Kalvin Dinato Logan Sonnick Me and my ferret are currently fighting over a fidget spinner. Spike is a free-roaming ferret and has an innate sense of when I am not paying attention to where I put my fidget spinner down in a spot he can reach. I know where he keeps his treasures so it is not lost for long, but sometimes my little bandit drives me crazy!

Piglet steals my son’s Hotwheels® cars. He thinks we can’t see him and he is invisible but we see his every move. He loves to chase the cars down the track and steal them from the finish line. When we play, Piglet ends up with a pile hidden in plain sight and my son ends up with a pile of the fastest cars down the track. It’s funny to watch them play together.

Amy Smith

Alesia Wilson

Keys and key fobs! We live in an apartment, I work in an office, I am a member pf a gym and yoga studio — my key chain is colorful and full and THIS is my ferret’s favorite thing to steal. She will find them no matter where I try to hide them! I had to put one of those Bluetooth® finding devices on them because they are never where I left them.

Mr. Noodles takes little toys and treasures that I don’t usually miss. Random things he finds around the house like hair ties, socks or earrings. His hiding spots are always changing. He will find a spot, fill it up and when I find it cleaning, he moves to a new spot. The one item that Mr. Noodles steals the most is my boar bristle brush. I have long, thick hair and this brush is my favorite and apparently his too. He hugs the brush and scratches his face in the bristles and sometimes tries to wiggle his belly on it. I gave him his own, but he still prefers to steal mine.

Kelly Brown We have a large family and three ferrets that have access to almost the whole house with us. It is not uncommon for ferrets to snuggle up to kiddos on the couch while another is eating a meal in front of the TV. One day my granddaughter got her cinnamon bun stolen from her plate when she got up to get a glass of milk! We were able to get it away from Daisy quickly and we certainly don’t condone that behavior, but we all had a good laugh about it.

Mikey Scott Stanley steals my lighters. We at Marshall Pet recognize that no ferrets were hurt in the situations written about here. The items mentioned here are not toys made for ferrets and not recommended as ferret-safe toys. Please don’t leave your ferret unattended with toys that could potentially harm your them.

1 2 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

INTRODUCING A NEW FERRET INTO A BUSINESS

By: Dietra DeRose & Michelle Everly

Bringing a new ferret into an established business doesn’t need to be stressful. These six best practices for introducing a new member to the four-legged family will help to make the experience fun, exciting and easy for everyone involved. ISOLATE THEM. When you first

bring your new ferret home, it is best to isolate your new ferret from the other pets. A 14-day isolation is recommended to avoid the spread of any harmful viruses and bacterias that the new ferret could be carrying from the pet store. A clean home with a clean litter box and plenty of food and water will allow your new ferret to get used to his new surroundings while providing a clean bill of health.

WHAT’S THAT SMELL? Pull bedding, blankets and toys from the other four-legged family members and place them in isolation with the new ferret. This will allow the new ferret to associate home and comfort with the smell of the other pets. Do this with your dirty laundry as well. This will make the family unit familiar. KEEP IT SMALL. Choose a smaller,

enclosed space that both the new ferret and family pets are familiar with. They will sniff, nip and play. Never leave them alone together even after they are familiar with each other. As much as they are our family, we have to remember that they are animals.

ONE AT A TIME. If more than

Michelle Everly

one four-legged member of the family needs an introduction, start with the friendliest. Introduce them one at a time giving each pet time to get used to each other before you introduce another. If you have ferrets and other species of pet living in the same house, get the ferrets on the same page before you introduce the new ferret to the family dog or cat. Letting the dog or cat see the other familiar ferrets accept and interact with the new member will model positive behavior.

PLAY WITH THEM. Encourage friendly engagement with shared toys and playtime. Dogs and ferrets love to chase balls and play wrestle. Cats and ferrets share a fondness for teaser toys and bell toys. Reward all fur babies with healthy treats formulated for their species.

Michelle Everly

INCLUDE THEM IN ROUTINE.

The caretakers of large families, businesses or farms know the importance of getting all of your babies on a routine. By the time the 14-day isolation is over, your new ferret should be litter trained and getting used to your family routine. Including your new family member in the family routine as soon as possible after individual introductions will ensure that feeding patterns, other ferret personalities and environment details are imprinted in their minds when young. Your new ferret will soon start following the business and making themselves at home. Love and comfort go a long way. Check out FQ Issue No. 5 for tips on bonding with your new family member.

Dietra DeRose

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 13

CAUTION: These flowers and plants are harmful to your ferret and other pets.

• Aloe Vera • Amaryllis • Azalea • Baby’s Breath • Begonia • Carnation • Castor Bean • Chrysanthemum

• Cyclamen • Daffodil • Gladiola • Hosta • Ivy • Lily (all species) • Milkweed • Morning Glory

• Oleander • Poinsettia • Pothos • Sago Palm • Tulips • Narcissus • Rhododendron • Yew

CAUTION: These fruits and vegetables are harmful to your ferret and other pets.

Vegetables and fruits of all sorts in a large enough quantity could be very bad for your ferret. These in particular are lethal in your kitchen and garden:

• Grapes • Raisins • Avocado

• Onions • Garlic and Similar Vegetables • Tomato Plants

1 4 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

NEWS from D enice

There are many new ferret companions in homes around the world. One of the most common calls we receive in Customer Service is, How do I choose a good ferret vet? While you will never know until you start working with an animal care provider, here are some good questions to ask a prospective vet.

• How many ferrets do you see weekly? • How long have you been treating ferrets? • Do you have the ferret vaccine for distemper? • How many vets on staff can treat ferrets? • What range of services is offered for ferrets? And how often should my ferret visit a vet? • Can you perform X-rays, ultrasounds, and/or surgeries? (If so what are the costs involved with these procedures) • What are the most common ferret ailments your clinic treats? • How are emergency calls handled? • How can I obtain pet insurance and what plans are the best for my ferret. • What should I consider an emergency with my pet? • What is normal vs abnormal behavior with my pet in the summer months vs. the winter months? • If I put together a ferret first aid kit, what should I have in it? • Is the general care for a baby ferret different than a senior ferret? • Can you provide suggestions for travel and day trips for my ferret? If the only vet around you is one that hasn’t treated ferrets before, ask if they are willing to learn. Exotic animal care may be hard to come by in rural areas. The network of veterinarians is large and as long as a trained tech is comfortable and knowledgeable enough to take direction, you and your ferret will get great care.

Paul

Thank you...

Distributors and our retailer partners for your patience and support as we navigate these uncharted waters together. The effects of the pandemic will be felt for many years to come. It has affected all aspects of our business. The demand for animals and products has been at an all-time high for months on end with no predicted end in sight. Foreign product is slow to ship, and food production is being affected by rising prices. Trade shows are where we talk to our retailers to understand their challenges and our buyers input on new prototype of products. We also take the time to recognize our partners in the industry with well-deserved awards. 2020 and 2021 left a void in our relationship and while this is absolutely no replacement for our face-to-face interactions, we’d like to take this issue to present the first official SPRING/SUMMER RETAIL SUPPLEMENT. This supplement was created for professional pet retailers and their patrons. We want our retail and distribution partners to know how much we appreciate them, their efforts on the floor and all of the incredible customer service they are offering our and their loyal customers. As this note is written, I just received notification to start planning for the Global Pet Expo in Orlando in 2022. It feels good knowing that normal is just around the corner. We hope to see you all soon — in person, but until then, keep a lookout for new products, contest announcements and store promos on our Facebook page @MarshallPetFerrets.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 15

We tagged along with Paul J., Director of Ma rketing and Sales and Tanya C., Domestic/International Sal es Lead to set the Marshall Pet section for the Grand Opening of Country Max in Webster, New York. t, of produc s e p y t t n re play diffe to bottom is p d o t ly n r e e h p t pro ft to right le d: d how to e m s o s r f u c n is we learne ctio t e a s h a They d w f o ’s re ping flow nding. He a r b f the shop o e port anc and the im

5 TIPS

FOR

SETTING A BRANDED SECTION Start by grouping like products.

Fill it in.

It is more than just bottles on shelves and hanging bags on pegboard. Make sure that the neighboring products make sense next to it. All grooming products should be together. Hang the brush above the shampoo on the shelf.

As you begin to fill in the product with your inventory, make sure that all of the product is facing forward, to be clearly seen from the aisle. Check expiration dates to put product expiring sooner out first. As product is shopped and filled, all existing product should be moved to the front and filled from the back.

Only set one first! Pull just one of each product and place them. Get a snapshot of how everything looks before you fill in the back. This allows you to rearrange, try new flows and adjust spacing without moving your entire inventory. How does it shop? Test the section of singles by asking this question. Do the products make sense next to each other? Does the family of products shop nicely from left to right, top to bottom? Does the space on the shelf allow the product to be clearly identified?

Brand your aisle. Your packaging starts to do this if your products are branded well. Your family of products should look like just that, a family — related to each other yet each different in their own ways. Anything you can add to reinforce your brand in the aisle is a benefit to the shoppers ,experience. Aisle headers, shelf talkers and supporting marketing materials like coupons or informational brochures are all recommended to engage and inform the shoppers.

1 6 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

5 TIPS

SELLING MARSHALL PRODUCTS AT RETAIL

FOR

Use products with in-store ferrets! Allowing the store ferrets to use our products is the single best way to sell that product. When the customer sees how the ferret uses a litter, eats a food, snuggles in a lounge or plays with a toy, the customer immediately attaches that product with that animal. Almost immediately that checklist of animal needs becomes a loyal customer. Educate your floor staff. We provide a variety of ways to learn about ferrets and the care of a ferret. Our website, MarshallPet.com is a wealth of knowledge and our Facebook community of 30k+ fans (@MarshallPetFerrets) is a great place to start. We have digital and printed documents and live training videos available through distributors and sales reps for all professional retail establishments and their employees. Knowledge on the floor will increase engagement with shoppers and, in turn, increase sales. Create easy-to-shop displays. Seasonal end caps are an awesome way to promote a brand by educating shoppers about products an animal may need right now and call attention to their products before the shopper sees the competition down the aisle. Keep displays free of clutter, fun and relevant. Products on end caps sell more! Provide customers with information.

It is helpful to-cross promote products.

There are a number of educational documents we provide to our retailers and customers. We encourage our retail partners to have the Marshall Ferret Info Sheet printed and on hand to help answer questions. But nothing beats the wisdom from an educated employee. If ever you or your team would like more information about our ferrets, and products, don’t hesitate to reach out! 800.292.3424

Ferrets are the number three domestic pet in the United States. When a dog is shedding or a cat is suffering from hairballs, chances are there is a ferret at home suffering from the same thing. If someone is looking for shampoo, they are an easy up-sell for a grooming brush or deodorizing spray. Think about what products would be a good complement to the shopper’s cart.

5 TIPS

S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 | 17

SELLING MARSHALL PRODUCTS ONLINE

FOR

1 Publish tons of photos. Even the simplest of products, bottles and products should have multiple photos. At the bare minimum: front, back, clear display of ingredients/information and a size ratio shot. Any time that you can include a photo of the product in use or additional marketing photos, it is a benefit. Platforms that allow video favor video, so use it to your advantage.

1 3

5 2

Use relevant keywords in your descriptions.

It may be best to do a quick brainstorm of relevant key words for each product and then work them into the product descriptions. Product descriptions on our website are pretty optimized, but every platform has nuances. More is better when it comes to product descriptions.

3 Gather and publish reviews.

4 It is helpful to cross-promote products. It is just as important in e-commerce stores as it is in retail stores. Furthermore, many e-commerce platforms make it easy by allowing you to choose “you might also like” products. Create ways to duplicate the in-store shopping experience, online.

If your e-commerce site doesn’t capture reviews, go find them and publish them. Always give credit where credit is due to both the author and site. Products with reviews are more likely to get shopped and purchased.

5 Engage your customers. Aside from simply gathering their order online, engage your customer with tips in an emailed newsletter, flash contests on your social media and special promos for returning customers only. If they are happy with the online experience, they will be sure to return.

t s e B r e m m u S S R E L L SE

1 8 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

Ferrets love Summer too! Get them in on the fun with this sensational summer stuff from Marshall Pet.

Front Pack - FP-370 Our Front Pack is a safe, comfortable and convenient way to transport your ferret or other small pets. It features a sturdy bottom, vents on the top and front for optimal airflow and pockets on either side to store your ferrets essentials.

24” Ferret Swimming Pool - FT-471 Help keep your ferret cool with Marshall’s Ferret Swimming Pool. This pool is crafted with high-grade, industrial strength PVC material to help it stand up to all your pet’s fun. It conveniently folds down for effortless portability and storage, allowing you to set it up anywhere, with no inflating necessary—just unfold the pool and fill it with water! Marshall’s Ferret Swimming Pool can be used for a variety of purposes and pets. It is a great way to help keep any small pet cool during the summer months but it can also be used as a portable dig box or for bathing... especially if your furry friend isn’t fond of traditional bathtubs.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 19

The Ultimate Ferret Environment Inside or outside, this Ferret Large Mansion and Playpen combo is every ferret’s dream home. Secure connection holes for the Marshall Super Thru Way allow for you to provide your ferrets a safe environment to play, explore and lounge.

Small Animal Playpen - FC-224 Marshall Folding Mansion Large - FC-257

8 Panel Playpen Mat - FC-261 Super Thru Way - FT-190

Ferret Finder Collar Ferret Finder Collar connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth® technology to keep track of your business.

Pop N Play Ball Pit - FT-372 Extra Ball Pack - FT-373

EE L IT

GE H

BIO

EGR A DA

EX C

2 0 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

Up to 400% more absorbent than clay litters Completely dust free Flushable, biodegradable and 100% natural paper pellets

100% NATURAL

MARSHALL PREMIUM FERRET LITTER

MARSHALL FRESH & CLEAN FERRET LITTER

10LB bag

5LB bag

Made from 100% fully recycled newsprint from multiple waste streams

Made from 100% virgin cellulose fiber from sustainabley sourced single supply biproduct stream

Incredible absorbancy Excellent odor control

White substrate makes for easier detection of exrement

• Dense pellet • • Premium quality • • More absorbant •

• Same size bag • • Less weight • • Most absorbant • • Same amount of usage •

Item# FG-073

Item# FG-480

Y 1 LU S I 1 G VE ET O F F 1F ER RE * E

EX C

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 21

CANNED DIET

The perfect topper to all Marshall Premium Ferret Diets!

Chicken Diet Topper Gluten Free & Grain Free Omgea 3 & 6 Easy Pop Top (no can openers needed) Resealable Plastic Lid Included The three flavors of Marshall's Chicken Entree Canned Diet is a great way to enhance the flavor of your ferret's every day diet! This gluten free and grain free formula is an excellent source of Omega 3 & 6 to nourish skin and coat. Refer to the can label for nutritional facts and guaranteed analysis.

CHICKEN ENTREE Item # FD-430

CHICKEN ENTREE WITH LAMB Item # FD-431

CHICKEN ENTREE WITH TURKEY Item # FD-432

* These offers are exclusive to professional pet retailers and distributors in the Continental United States through October 1, 2021. Marshall Fresh & Clean Ferret Litter and Marshall Premium Ferret Chicken Entrees are not available in mixed cases. *

SILVER DEALER PLAN-O-GRAM

These are our top 25 products. 10 ferret essentials are highlighted in blue.

QTY. ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

QTY & ITEM PICTURED (2) FT-372 Pop-N-Play Ball Pit (2) FP-364 Hanging Nap Sack (2) FD-385 Bandits Treats, Banana (2) FP-400 Bear Rug (2) FD-386 Bandits Treats, Peanut Butter (2) FS-341 Uncle Jim’s Duk Soup Mix (2) FG-131 Nail Clippers (2) FP-093 Harness & Lead, Purple (2) FP-094 Harness & Lead, Royal Blue (2) FT-467 Ferret Face Toy (2) FD-423 Salmon Chunks (2) FD-422 Munchy Minnows (2) FP-226 Water Bottle, 27 oz. (2) FP-394 Snap ’N Fit Food Bowl, 2 Cups (4) FD-430 Premium Chicken Entree Canned Diet (2) FS-565 ProBiotic 11 (2) FS-127 Ferret Rx (2) FS-186 GoodBye Odor for Ferrets (2) FS-388 Ferret Lax (2) FS-389 Furo-Vite (2) FS-390 Furo-Tone (2) FG-227 Aloe Vera Shampoo (2) FG-021 Daily Spritz (2) FT-190 Super Thru-Way (2) FD-381 Premium Ferret Diet, 22 oz. (4) FD-177 Premium Ferret Diet, 4 lb. Bag (3) FP-032 High Back Litter Pan (2) FG-073 Ferret Litter, 10 lb. Bag

Plan your order here and then call 800-292-3424 or email orders@marshallpet.com to place your order.

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 23

Ask the VET Spring and summer bring many challenges to pet companionship. Let our vet help keep your pet well fed, stay healthy through the shed and safely explore the outdoors with these safety tips and product recommendations. While we are the ferret experts, we do not encourage you to rely on our customer service or Facebook community for health and wellness concerns for your ferret. Each animal is different and requires special care from a trained veterinarian. Wondering what to look for in a good vet? Read below.

My ferret’s appetite is affected by the heat. What can I do to supplement his picky eating habits? Like children, your ferrets can become picky eaters. To keep the weight on and ensure they are getting all of the proper nutrition for a happy and healthy life, try offering some of these additional treats with their daily carnivorous diet.

See the back cover for more information about Marshall Premium Canned Chicken Entree pictured above.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Uncle Jim’s Original Duk Soup/FS341, Furo-Vite Paste/FS-389, Furo-Vite Chews/ FS-406, ProBiotic/FS-218

Ferrets lick themselves to shed their winter coats. Help prevent and eliminate hairballs ingested by your ferret with Marshall Lax Hairball Support Bacon Flavor Ferret Soft Chews and Marshall Lax Hairball Support Paste. Ferrets are fastidious groomers and can swallow large amounts of fur. But unlike cats, ferrets do not purge hairballs through vomiting. If left untreated, hairballs can cause intestinal blockage. Marshall Lax products help your ferret pass hairballs through stool, preventing potential blockage. And because of their delicious flavor and soft texture, Marshall Lax products make a terrific treat!

How can I keep my ferret cool? • Mist your ferrets with water from a spray bottle and letting a fan blow over them. • Freeze water in empty plastic pop bottles or milk jugs and wrap them in towels. Place them in the cage to provide your ferret with a cool place to lounge as the water thaws. (Test this one out under supervision first to ensure your ferret doesn’t chew the plastic of the bottle.) • Soak a washcloth, roll and freeze. Place it in your ferrets’ cage to thaw. • Let your ferrets splash in a cool bath or shallow pet pool. The Marshall 24” Ferret Swimming Pool is perfect for this. • If you don’t mind your ferrets splashing where they drink, toss a couple of ice cubes in their water bowl. They’ll have fun.

2 4 | F E R R E T S Q U A R T E R LY

#FELFIEFRIDAY

Alex Miller Angela Hathcoat Tatum Evans

Tiffany Kampstra

Diana Pearce

Brianna Mahoney Miller

Starr Kane

Manfred Klein

SPRING/SUMMER 2021 | 25

#FEATUREFERRETS

KRISTINE SLOAN Meet Ipsy and Sandy! These girls love to cuddle in their igloo! Ipsy likes to hide her toys under the blankets too. These two love to romp around playing in their tunnels, ball pit, and hiding their toys😊 after hours of playing you can always find these two girls sound asleep

TRACY STERLING Roxy Moxy gets so tired from playing in the toys that she often falls asleep on them .

CINDY GRANDE Zuri loves her Marshall Super Thruway!

CLAUDIA HALLISEY She takes my youngest kid bed to take a nap and ends up napping herself. She sleeps like a person all tucked in with her head on a pillow.

This is Han and Bucca. When COVID first hit I was working at home for a while and every time I had my laptop out working they would come over and sit on it. Insisting my attention be redirected towards them. Every time! So, no, I didn’t get a lot of work done with all the cuteness going on.

INCREASE YOUR STORE SALES BY SELLING PRODUCTS FOR THE NO.3 DOMESTIC PET IN THE USA. IF YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL PET RETAILER THAT WOULD LIKE TO CARRY MARSHALL PRODUCTS OR KNOW OF A PET RETAILER YOU WOULD LIKE TO CARRY MARSHALL PRODUCTS...

LET US CONNECT YOU WITH A DISTRIBUTION CENTER OR SET UP A DROP SHIP PROGRAM THROUGH OUR WAREHOUSE,

800.292.3424 OR FERRETS@MARSHALLPET.COM