Kat that IS the best help for a shelter imaginable... I mean that IS what
it's all about right, finding them homes?  When I saw the Glasgows Shelter
in Knox here in TN, and then Kim's (KISTA) ferret shelter...... I was blown
away at how one/two people could do all that work.  Money is needed for
shelters, supplies such as newspapers are also needed, and help with the
labor is needed desperately... but getting the ferrets to homes is what it
is all about.  That is the ultimate help isn't it?
 
Seeing a shelter in real life with such needs is such a reality slap in the
face.  It's something you really can't prepare for until you experience it.
It changed me in many ways when I visited a shelter for the first time.  I
think the shock to me was how shelter operators just don't seem to have it
in them to "feel sorry" for themselves in some of their dire situations...
probably cause they are knee deep in ferret poop, and in tears (for the
ferrets health, and past situations) working all the time.  I am never
quite prepared when I go visit each time.
 
So I kind of have a different plea.... It's for everyone on this list, if
they have not already, to contact the closest shelter just to ask to visit.
If you can recruit a fellow friend in this venture that is icing on the
cake.  Just go visit and talk to the operators, and hug the ferrets.
Because I promise it will change you.  I promise you can not
realize....what these people do...until you actually see it.  And until you
actually "see it"... you can not appreciate it.  A visit alone is a good
step if you think you can not help at this time, or can not adopt at this
time.  It's a step to commit to helping the ferrets...an emotional
commitment.  So when you think of getting another ferret, it won't be such
a "different" avenue to go on down to the shelter.  Or when you get some
extra time it won't be such a big step to drop off newspapers or stop in to
clean ears.  I hope this makes sense.
 
As you all might know already..  Rocky, from my Rocky and Sean stories is
from a shelter.  I hate to say it.... but he's the favorite.  And that is
because of the fantastic feeling you get when you see him that you helped
him, and how he in return helped our son.  The love I feel when I hold this
little soul is indescribable.
 
Kat is right.  It's not such as big a deal as you think using some
ingenuity for situations.  My neighbor came along with me when we adopted
Rocky and was the last person you'd think would adopt a ferret.  Yet she
did for her son with Tourettes and asthma.  She was told in no uncertain
terms that this ferret could not get along with other ferts.  The ferret
adjust well as single ferret... and to all our surprise, my neighbor's son
was fantastic with the ferret (while he wasn't so great with past pets).
Well she took in yet 2 other rescues (that was dumped off to her), and
worked around this girl.  We never could get her girl used to my ferts..
but guess what?  She got along great with the new rescues.  It took many
months.  But the point is even if she never got along with them.... the
whole situation was working out well for everyone just fine as it was.  It
was just a pleasant surprise to see it worked out better than fine.  You
just never know how things might turn out.  :)
 
Wolfy
Please visit:
http://www.geocities.com/wolfysluv/
for information on deafness and ferrets:
http://www.geocities.com/wolfysluv/deaf.html
take a peek at upcomming "so you have allergies":
http://www.geocities.com/wolfysluv/allergies.html
[Posted in FML issue 3165]