WINNIPEG—Six months after undercover video footage captured by an Animal Justice investigator exposed appalling conditions at a Manitoba ferret mill, dozens of animals have since been rescued by a U.S.-based non-profit organization.
At the same time, it appears no charges have been laid against the breeder, hundreds of animals remain at the facility, and he continues to sell ferrets through multiple online ads.
The video—released publicly in late January—revealed roughly 500 ferrets cruelly confined to filthy wire cages in Melita, Man., at a facility operated by David Holden, without bedding, and with floors coated in feces and urine.
While Mr. Holden, who has claimed he is Canada’s largest ferret breeder, sold animals to pet store chains before his appalling treatment of animals came to light, he has turned to unregulated online platforms like Kijiji to try and sell ferrets directly to the public.
Animal Justice has identified ads targeting buyers in Manitoba and other provinces. “Serious replies only. If you want an American ferret, run, don’t walk to the pet store. Can meet in Winnipeg,” one ad reads.
At the same time, Mr. Holden has fortunately released some ferrets who were no longer of use to him, sparing them from the horrifying and illegal makeshift gas chamber he has used to kill animals in his care—a grim detail uncovered by Animal Justice’s investigation.
Instead of being killed in this disturbing and apparently illegal manner, approximately two dozen ferrets were treated in Winnipeg by Grant Park Animal Hospital before being transported to the United States by a U.S. rescue organization, the Ferret Association of Connecticut (FACT).
One social media update from the group shows a stark example of some of the grave health issues the ferrets faced prior to rescue. Other posts outline serious dental issues requiring extensive treatment.
“It is incredibly gratifying to see these adorable, intelligent, and social animals finally living the lives they truly deserve,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, lawyer and Animal Justice’s Winnipeg-based director of legal advocacy. “There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of the hundreds of ferrets still languishing at this facility right here in Manitoba.”
“The broader tragedy is that although Manitoba has a breeding licencing law on the books, it hasn’t been enforced in over a decade. This has left a black hole in Manitoba with virtually no oversight, permitting breeders of dogs, cats, reptiles, rabbits, and ferrets to raise animals in appalling conditions and sell them for profit,” Ms. Mitchell said.
“These horrific conditions only came to light because of a rare opportunity for Animal Justice to legally access the site and gather firsthand video evidence—it begs the question: how many other breeders in Manitoba are flying under the radar, keeping animals in nightmarish conditions.”
Before publicly releasing its investigation, Animal Justice submitted a legal complaint to Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Office (CVO) more than six months ago on January 9, 2025, urging authorities to investigate and seize the ferrets being kept in these cruel and unlawful conditions.
While the CVO has confirmed it is investigating, the Office has refused to share any other details, and it appears no animals have been removed except for those voluntarily surrendered by Mr. Holden.
According to another social media post from FACT, the ferrets released from this operation (affectionately referred to as “the Canadians”) are being cared for by rescuers in New Jersey, Maryland, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Indiana, as well as Connecticut.
Contact:
Josh Lynn
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