This will be my first post the FML though I have been lurking and reading
daily for a long time.  I feel very badly that as ferret community we
have come across as so mean and nasty to this woman, who sounds like she
is trying to do the right thing as far as finding a home for her ferrets.
 
How many times do we read of this and that ebay lot to benefit ferret
families?  We all feel the financial pinch and sometimes downright punch
of caring for ferrets, no matter how many we have.  For some of several
thousand a year could be spent on just 2 or 3 ferrets, for others several
hundred for 10 or 12 and it still feels just as hard.  The bottom line
is, we all do the best we can.  Ferrets are not for everyone.  I love my
family dearly, but should something happen to me, I would never trust
them to take my ferrets.  They just aren't able to handle them correctly.
 
I'm sure that this subject and this situation will be discussed till we
are all sick of hearing about it, so I wanted to make my points before we
all just started skipping over the messages pertaining to it.
 
First, let us remember that not everyone out there is suited to having
ferrets.  We do not need to always respond to someone having to give up
their ferrets with anger, hate and suspicion.  We do not like being
judged as crazy ferret people, so let us be kind, helpful, and not
judgemental of non-ferret people.  If we can help in any way, let us
offer help (if that means you offer a home, great, if it means you offer
shelter information or personal contact info for someone else who can
help, that is fine too).  And finally, let us take this occassion to
remember to make provisions for our pets should something happen to us.
 
I can tell you from first hand experience, that even a family member who
appears to be an animal lover, when faced with multiple pets, could be
likely to opt for euthanazia at the local vet rather than worry about
them.  Make a will and in it specify what no-kill shelter or person you
want your pets to go to.  Most states will accept as a will anything
properly witnessed (you can even handwrite something and take it to your
bank to be notarized...).  If you have life insurance, savings, or even
equity in a home you will be leaving behind, specify in your will that
some funds be left in trust for the care of your pets (I could be wrong,
but I bet it's much easier for someone to find a really good home for
your ferrets if they come with money in trust for their future vet care).
 
I know all this may sound ridiculous to some people, but for most of us,
our ferrets are our kids.
 
Take Care and Happy Dooking!
Moscha (with ferrets Skippy, Nosette, and BoBo -
safe and happy no matter what)
[Posted in FML issue 4960]