Hello friends & Ferrets USA readers.  Since the Jan/Feb issue of Ferrets
came out we've received many e-mails inquiring about the status of FAS
due to the news flash about the possible closure of FAS as published in
Ferrets USA.  While not much has changed, I wanted to put to rest a few
fears.
 
Even *IF* FAS closes, please rest assured that the closure of our shelter
WILL NOT effect The IFC Ferret Aid 2006 Conference.  This is a separate
event to Ferret Aid Society and separate finances.
 
Please understand we are doing everything in our power to make sure that
FAS does not close.  I've already lost one house, I;m fighting like mad
not to lose another :)  Mediation is going to take place at the end of
March to hopefully reinstate my finances and until then, FAS is on very
shaky ground.  While we are uncertain of our future and we are proceeding
with caution we are still operating as a full scale shelter until further
notice.
 
To put things into a little better perspective for you, I have to tell
you the differences in veterinary prices we deal with here.  Until
recently, I had NO idea that there was such a difference between Toronto
pricing vs other places.  When we whine that we're broke and medical
bills are killing us, we're not kidding :)
 
A typical left adrenal surgery costs the average person about $1,700 (not
including after care or blood work/x-rays).  A plain 'ol check up is $75
(just to walk in the door of a vet office).  Add blood work, x-rays and
meds on top of that and you would be walking out with a $400 visit in one
day (and that's WITH our 50% discount) Last year, our veterinary bills
topped over $45,000.00 (not including the free care many veterinarians
offered for the 4 large scale rescues we did) and that doesn't include
our operating costs, shelter bills and other bills.  Just ask the
shelter's accountant how much I gasped when she handed me the shelter's
tax return!
 
After chatting with some other shelters in Canada and America, I was
rather shocked to find out that in Toronto (and surrounding areas)
veterinary costs are much higher than elsewhere.  It's no wonder that
people in this area just don't take proper care of their ferrets, they,
like us, can't afford it :)
 
In the end, The FAS is doing everything we can to keep our doors open to
ferrets.  Right now, it's all resting on my shoulders and the mediation
in March.  If I don't have an income, I don;t have a house and if I don't
have a house, sadly, there is no shelter.
 
No matter what happens in March, I will see many of you in June.  Though
there may not be a Ferret Aid Society in June, there will be an IFC
Ferret Aid.  It's going to be ONE ROCKING event and I have some VERY
exciting news to share with you all next week.  Please stay tuned for
the official announcement of a new guest speaker and a very special, up
close and personal guest!!!!
 
Miss Randy Melanie Belair
President
The Ferret Aid Society
www.ferretaid.org <http://www.ferretaid.org/>
 
Join us for the IFC Ferret Aid 2006 Conference!
Book early, almost sold out!!
http://www.ferretaid.org/events/ferret_aid_2006.html
[Posted in FML issue 5137]