Shelley,
I AM a shelter & have been for a number of years.Thus the importance of
ferret education.Always wanting to learn more.
 
I saw your 4 ferrets while at that shelter on both of the visits.They too
were covered ,in a dark room & hungry for human contact,and a clean cage.
 
Each time I've been to this place,it's not clean.Now I know there are
many levels of what people discern as clean.While I'm certainly not a
clean freak,I also will not have people over and have nasty floors,cages.
Even IF nobody came to my place,I still won't live in filth.Nor will I
let the ferrets as long as I'm able to do my best.When I realize that
their care is lacking from either my lack of wanting it done or from a
physical problem,then I have enough compassion within me to ask for
help.In the past,I've done just that.I've sent ferrets to other
shelters.And at the same time,I've taken some of the overflow from a
few shelters.I've helped this shelter recently with the overflow.Don't
continue to add to the already bulging place if you know that proper
care can't /won't be done.
 
Of these overflow kids,I haven't charged an adoption fee at all.In lue
of GOOD forever homes.Denise took 6 of the first trip.Tonya took in
2.Slick,from my onw shelter went to Lee,she is a vet pathologist at
Auburn.And I sent 6 to another shelter.
 
As a shelter op,I have NOT charged an adoption fee to someone wanting an
older sick kid,IF they will do the vet visits/surgeries.I don't basically
give away young healthy ferrets & charge alot for the medically sick
ones.Don't know of this happening at other shelters either.At least not
of those I do know.
 
My foster Mom,K was here once,& Wes called.He was asking me if my friend
was here & could take in 4 rowdy ferrets.I put K on the phone so they
could work out the details.She was very willing to take in those
kids.Which by the way,are oh so sweet.Just wanted out of the cage
time,human contact.Anyhoo,K was ready to get them & was told that she'd
have to undergo their *screening* after being told that if she met my
screening,she could get the ferrets.I'd given her a cage,everything she'd
need.Well,Wes wouldn't meet up with her on her trip back home,Wanted her
to go 3 hours out of her way to get to his place.So,she didn't get those
kids.BUT at a later date,they came with us.They are part of the 7 lottery
ticket kids.
 
As a Medical Assistant,which is about the same as an LPN,we just don't
give meds.I have been to nursing school & specialized in the Alkzhimers.I
love working with them.And so,working with Wes has been a challange.
Anyone that knows of this illness,knows they need to stay on a
*routine*.Wes would call me every day & say the same things he'd said a
week before.And how do you think I know as much as I do about what/how
they do things.I certainly can't drive there on a daily thing.
 
As far as their medical problems go,while you say it's none of my
bussiness,I disagree.As a medical professional,I worry about people that
are sick & won't take care of themselves.It's what I was trained to
do.And as I ferret lover/shelter,what will happen to the ferrets if one
is hospitalized?Just a few short months ago,Wes called me & said Susan
was bleeding internally but refused to see a Dr.I posted on a couple
boards & asked for help.Ya see,at that time,I was to take all animals if
anything happened.I knew I couldn't possibly take care of 100 or so
ferrets by myself.As soon as I posted for the help,Susan posted saying
I'd jumped a panic button.So,yes,I worry.
 
As for the AC,I have spoke with them too.  Wes & Susan DID get violations
& a time frame to get those taken care of.Wes called me & THANKED me for
making that call.Phyllis,my son,& Tina, heard it as I put it on speaker
phone.Wessaid" I want to Thank You for the call.Maybe this will wake
Susan up & we can get this place cleaned up."He was nice & meant what he
said.He has wanted things to be better for a long time.Wes even said
"I'll have to call Maid Brite & get them out here on this floor." As for
the window being out in the bedroom & a board over it.My son is a
contractor,& some of his help were in the Fl panhandle.They drove
by,looked & said it's be a couple hours work at best.Not a $3000 job.
More like a $300.No,they didn't offer to do it as my one son remebered
the stench from his visit & had told his co-workers.  Anyone who has been
to my place,old one & the new one,can tell you,while not spotless,it's
clean & doesn't stink.The cages are cleaned & ferrets are well taken
care of.
 
--
Sandi
Heaven Scent Ferret Rescue/Shelter
a 501-3c no kill shelter
http://fuzzyslave.tripod.com
[Posted in FML issue 5030]