*ATTENTION: The purpose of this post is NOT to bash any ferret shelter -
here in WA or elsewhere.  What I hope to gain insight and clarity about
is why shelters who send out 'distress calls' (or post on their websites)
saying they have an overflow of senior and "special needs" ferrets
seeking forever homes (not just foster homes) then turn away wonderful,
qualified, potential ferret parents ???  And what to do about shelters
that SEVERELY lack 'customer service' skills, esp. when dealing with the
general public, where potential ferret parents come from!
 
Case in point:
 
As many of you know, I recently lost my precious 'sweet pea' and have
been VERY concerned about my remaining furkids' behavior b/c he appeared
to be suffering from depression (and rightfully so).  Because I'm home
during the daytime, I've been able to monitor Snowball very closely and
make sure he's eating and drinking properly and enough to sustain himself
(which he is, but sometimes with my help) and make sure he still gets
exercise, whether he wants it right now or not.  I'm happy (and quite
relieved) to say that Snowball is coming along well and I believe he's
going to pull through fine.  Maybe he just needed and will continue to
need his own time and space to "work through" grieving in his own way
and if that's the case, I'm totally fine with that.
 
Well, I've been agonozing over whether or not he's indicating he wants
another companion or wants to remain an only ferret home.  While
monitoring him, I've given this a great deal of thought (probably more
than most people) b/c I want to make sure that whatever I do for
Snowball, it is what will make him feel most comfortable, secure, and
happy.
 
SOOOO, I've contacted 3 of 4 ferret shelters in my local area throught
this week and explained Snowball's condition and what "type" of ferret
I believe might be the best 'match' for him.  Quite honestly, I'm
absolutely floored (almost to the point of being disgusted) at the lack
of 'customer service' these shelter people provide and at how difficult
the shelters have made this process for us.  As a result, it's given me
a great deal of insight into how I will be (or rather will NOT be)
supporting these shelters' efforts financially or through word-of-mouth
referrals or product donations in the future.
 
Here are brief descriptions of the situations I've encountered so far
this week:
 
Shelter #1 response - After a series of email exchanges, the operator aid
she "might" have time in the next two weeks to meet with us but she'd
have to 'wait and see' (keep in mind this shelter is over an hour away
from my home and therefore I can't just stop by on a moment's notice).  I
completely understand how overwhelmed shelter operators are - I really do
- but if your mission is to adopt OUT furkids (esp.  ones who are hard to
adopt out but have willing parents), then shoudn't the operator TRY to
have a bit of flexibility?  So, what do I do if Snowy's condition doesn't
improve and he REALLY needs the help of a new senior companion to pull
him through?  Mind you, I'm ready and willing to adopt a senior (which I
often hear are the most difficult to adopt out b/c they lack the
"cuteness" factor and are no longer viewed as fun).
 
Shelter #2 response - Doesn't have 'standard' operating hours or any
seniors (4 yr. old +) right now at the shelter (they are all in foster
homes and apparently will stay there?).  Was told to "check back" later.
Not even given the chance to introduce Snowy to ANY of their furkids,
to see if he'll take to ANYONE.  (Maybe a younger one might do him some
good and bring out his playful side again?)
 
Shelter #3 - Shelter operator considers me a 'terribly UNFIT ferret
parent' and will NEVER adopt to me again because last year I had to
return to her shelter a previously fostered sick, elderly ferret (anyone
remember Phoebe?) that I chose to adopt but after 10 months of
'round-the-clock' attention to Phoebe, I could no longer adequately
provide for her needs.  It was a gut-wrenching decision but MY health and
job were both suffering as a result and I became unexpectedly unemployed
for a portion of that time as well.  But I still paid for ALL of Phoebe's
medical bills, food, treats, and shots even when she was initially still
a foster from the shelter.
 
Shelter #4 response - (I'm not exaggerating here)  Within FIVE minutes of
me walking in the door at this shelter, the operater proceeded to
chastize me for taking Snowball into Petco recently (just to sniff the
ferrets while on top of their ferret cage in his sleepsack, to see if he
was interested in them).  I was told by the operator that I was "putting
my ferret in grave danger" by exposing him to ADV!  The operator claims
that Petco receives a "tremendously high rate of ADV + ferrets" (her own
words) from Marshall Farms and that "this is all over the internet" if I
would take the time to search for it; then she severly chastizes me for
taking my furkids to a vet that SHE believes is TOTALLY unqualified to
treat ferrets; and finally she ends her whipping session by dissin' on
two OTHER ferret shelters because she doesn't agree with the way THEY
operate!  Her parting words to me (as I was quickly on my way out the
door) were "Oh, honey - it sounds like you just need to spend more time
doing research and educating yourself.  Good luck with your situation."
 
WHAT?????  (insert curse words of your choice here)!!!
 
Jennifer and "Sad Snowball"   :-S
[Posted in FML issue 5205]