Don't forget Joint protectors and tip scuffers/shapers. Oh yea, ping pong balls! We also have a Chicken who has lived at the local place for over 2 years. They put him to bed a 6pm ever night while league is going on. Have never seen him get up on any of the six tables though. Just the cocktail...
Ferrule
Looks like a crack to me. In my opinion that is where they start. Most the time there will be a "ping" sound when hitting cue ball. But you can usually play a long time still with the crack. There is a lot of them out there.