Dear FML Members,
 
I've been on this list for several years now - what a tremendous resource
we have at our fingertips - able to communicate with so many
ferret-knowledgeable people to get answers to our questions, find homes
for ferrets who have been abandoned by their owners and to share our
ferret joys and sorrows.  A place where we have the opportunity to
educate newcomers to the ferret community and to put our years of
experience to good use to benefit and promote our little weasel friends.
 
We have so many important issues in the ferret community, we struggle
with cancer-prone ferrets, a couple of terrible viruses, legalization
issues and a mis-informed public image of what a ferret is and is not.
 
We've got miraculous rescues going on - they vary from a rescue of 2
abandoned ferrets left out in 90+ degree heat, dehydrated the point that
they resembled ferret jerky with fur, ferrets pulled from dumpsters, 80
headed for labratory use, Hagerstown, Titusville.....the list is endless.
And we're so good at handling these rescues - from the people who are
hands-on, knee deep in it, to those who contribute funds, supplies and
adoptive homes.
 
We have shelters and individual homes filled to capacity with ferrets who
need homes, where caring people give of their time, money and love on a
daily basis.  We own ferrets, participate in rescues, run shelters, share
expertise, hold ferrets while they take their last breaths, all out of
love for these little creatures.
 
It's funny (or not), it seems like in the animal advocate circles, you'll
find a lot of people who are GREAT with animals, but have difficulty
dealing with other people.  If that's you, that's OK, we all have our
strong areas - but recognize your strengths and weaknesses and don't
pollute the FML with pettieness and negativity.  I challenge all of us,
with so much good to be done, so many needs and demands in our ferret
community, to stop all this bickering and poop-slinging that frequents
out list.  Funnel that energy toward the tasks in front of us.  Make
this list a place where newcomers can join to find information and feel
positive about the leaders in the ferret community.
 
Jerri Carel
The Ferret Haven
Louisville, KY
[Posted in FML issue 4282]