Katharine
 
The fact that you are sad just shows that you don't understand...
Probably because you have never been here yourself.  (we welcome
visitors)  There has never been a negative word from anyone who
has been here.
 
We provide the best possible care for each and every fuzzy here, and that
includes quality vet care (including house calls when needed).  There is
no "waiting list" for vet care here!  IF ANY ONE OF THESE KIDS NEEDS A
VET FOR ANY REASON, DAY, OR NIGHT, THEY ARE THERE!!!  But it's more than
that, they all do get out to run and play, everyday, until they get tired
and go back to their cages on their own.  You should see it it's great.
Then their cage / cages get closed (because they don't all get along) and
the next group/groups come out to play.  This goes on all day and well
into the night.  Individual attention is not lacking either.  Somone is
usually in the room with them as they play, either Cathy or myself or a
volunteer who comes play with them.  (we do have a few more now, thanks
to the newspaper articles done about us) Some admitted they origionally
came out of curiosity, but are returning for visits because they had so
much fun here with the ferrets!  And while they are here they can't help
but learn, especially at meds time with 9 on pred and 12 on melatonin
therapy, with duck soup chasers!  (not to mention an occasional amoxi,
Pepto bismol, or sub-Q fluid applied here)
 
I'm sure that you've seen a few special cases with "dramatic stories"
yourself.  And "what matters is their future" that is true.  But if you
can get them all to "blossom into happy ferrets in just a day or two"
you must have "special powers"!
 
We did not set out to be a sanctuary, shelter, or group home of any type.
However,as the various Animal Control agencies in the area had no other
places for ferrets, we began getting calls.  somone had to respond It
was us.  As our reputation grew, so did the calls.  We have primarily
borne the burden of support ourselves for a number of years.  As the
physical number grew and the cost and the burden grew, we began accepting
outside support.  To that end we pursued, and were granted, 501c3 status.
Contrary to the misinformation proffered by some others, we do not
receive tax dollars, subsidies, or monies for our efforts.  We are,
however, granted tax relief for our expenses incurred for animals
referred to us by State, County, and Local agencies.  This saves the
state money.  It allowes us to accept contributions from individuals
and grant them "contribution" receipts.  Our receipts in 2001 and 2002 do
not amoumt to the cost of some surgeries that we have seen.  We certainly
are not getting rich in this effort, except in the level of love we
receive...
 
"To each his own".(You say) We have received "polite" offers of
assistance, but only if we conform to somone else's terms.  If we don't,
then we are attacked for refusing "help".  Help is in the eye of the
beholder, and is best an offer made without strings attached...
 
As we stated in a previous post, we are now at maximum capacity.  Our
current charges will remain in our care.  But we will continue to receive
emergency calls from Animal Control when a ferret has run out of time and
is about to be euthanized just because he /she hasn't been claimed.
(Animal Control will not adopt out Ferrets to individuals.  They will
only"release" them to "Ferret Rescues" )   We are placing new charges
directly into new homes without any adoption fees, with the help of a
base of friends in the ferret community.  We have been building a waiting
list.  If you would like to be added to this list to save the life of a
ferret in need, contact us please !  We also hope to continue to post
these emergency calls on this board ,and others, as needed.  Without
being flamed!
 
Zookeeper(Kurt)
Zoo's Ferret Sanctuary NFP
[log in to unmask]
 
website: www.zoosferretsanctuary.com
[Posted in FML issue 4034]