If I had to make the choice to give up my fuzzies, I would certainly turn
to the FML for help.  At least here, I would expect to find a fuzzy lover
who is aware of how much time, energy and what is needed to take proper
care of a ferret.
 
I too have views on wanting money for fuzzies.  Mine is probably for a
different or more selfish reason.  I truly believe in adopting or getting
rescues.  All of my fuzzies have been more or less adopted/rescued.  I
adopted a ferret and named her Sneekers.  She was a lovely 9 month old
Albino.  I had only had her for about three weeks and on Thanksgiving
morning found her having labored breathing and laying under my couch.
She has dirtied herself and I took her to the bathroom to clean her up
and see what was going on.  She coughed, blood began to pour out of her
mouth and her nose.  I rushed her to the nearest emergency animal hospital
that had an "exotic" specialist (as the one nearest to me said they would
only destroy her if I came there).  Between that bill and the one that
followed with my own vet, I owe $3,000.
 
Long and short, I love my fuzzies.  I'll wear my jeans with holes in them
and buy quality food for the ferts, but I don't have the money to pay
someone $200 for a ferret.  If it weren't for kind folks who screen and
ask the right questions and basically "let them go for a small fee", I
wouldn't be able to share my home and my heart with my ferrets.
 
I understand the screening process and folks not wanting their ferrets to
go to a lab or a satanic cult, but it sometimes keeps the good folks who
can care for them from doing so.
 
I'm lucky that my vet is taking payments.  He'll continue to provide
service and allow me to pay off the bill.  If not, I would only have a
large bill and no ferrets.  I juggle priorities so that I have a happy
home for me and the ferrets.  I just don't have any "extra" cash to throw
out there for $200 4 year old ferrets that people don't have time for.
 
Okay, I've rambled and said my peace.  I just had to do it.  Thanks for
listening/reading.
 
Lynn (Harley, Sneekers, Jake, Teddy and Fibi)
[Posted in FML issue 3532]