I would like to publicly thank Jennifer for her post yesterday about the
challenge.  The thank you is not for the *rousting* of donations, although
I am sure ALL shelters send their thanks for that..  but rather for this
part of the post.
 
>That could still average out to $100+ for each ferret coming into their
>shelter, less for the ones that are perfectly healthy, more for those
>needing surgery.  Just think how quickly those bills could add up and yet
>they charge $60-80 for adoption fees, but they may have $100, $200 or more
>invested in that ferret.
 
So few people understand that, Here a snippet of a typical conversation.
 
"This 10 month old healthy, nice ferret's adoption fee is $80"
"Why should I pay that for a *used* ferret that needs a home? YOU only
 spent a few bucks for exam and shots and only housed him a few weeks"
"Well, this ferret's adoption fee is only $20, he is 5 years old, been
 in shelter 10 months, had surgery and needs daily medication"
"I don't want an old ferret, I want a nice young healthy one"
 
Get the point folks??  Too many people do not understand that the higher
adoption fee to receive a young, healthy ferret is what helps cover the
costs of the ones who are older, sick, need surgery, need medication and
long term care.... the ones nobody wants to adopt because they are too
much trouble.
 
I have another challenge for those who are able.  Contact your local
shelter and ask if there is any older ferrets who need a loving home.
I know I have two here now that have medical problems, but due to their
age, health and past care are not candidates for surgery.  They are not
suffering, still act like ferrets and are very loving.  All they need is
a loving home to spend their final days knowing happiness.  They may have
a month, 6 months or another year still of happiness and love but nobody
wants to adopt them because they are old.
 
I don't know about other shelters and will not presume to speak for them,
but I know for myself... the *adoption fee* on a ferret like this is like
$10.  All I want is for them to be able to live out their days being loved,
cuddled and happy.  We try to give them that, but with many to care for...
they don't get the amount of one on one attention a loving home could
offer.
 
So how about it folks??  Any of you guys got room for an older ferret who
just needs love?  Contact your local shelter!
[Posted in FML issue 3047]