You do have some valid points, the emotional drain and financial expense
on a shelter are overwhelming.
 
But turning to the HSUS and other instiutions who already overloaded with
cats and dogs is not a solution to the problem.  Ferrets, even though are
loved by many, still have a very interesting reputation in the world of
shelter/rescue.  And since they honestly do need different interaction,
medical (in some instances), and nutrition requirements, it wouldln't
be reasonable to expect the larger dog or cat shelter to add to their
already over popluated problem.  Many of the ferrets here would be dead.
 
After 12 years of banging my head against walls of foundations that issue
grants to shelters and being told that this is a grass roots group (over
900 plus adoptions in the 12 years and $13,000 in vet bills last year) we
are grass roots.
 
I subscribe to several Human Magazines , one by the HSUS.  I wrote and
asked why they don't do more articles on ferret shelters, not every
month mind you, but twic a year would be nice.  Their response was we
did one back in 2000.
 
I appiled to PetSmart Charities for a grant of $500 to help with
printing educational materials for people, and was told that is it the
responsiblity of teachers to teach children about ferrets.  Hmmm.  hey
what about the adults?
 
Ferrets shelters are the red headed step child of the rescue world.
There would be more ferrets put to sleep just because they play nip or
mouth someone.  Dogs can do that but ferrets can't, go figure.  Blind
ones, oldies, you name it.  (And I have dealt with a large dog/cat
shelter on that instance, blind, put to sleep, nip, put to sleep, old,
put to sleep, They get no chance.)
 
One of the things I would like to achieve with getting the building for
the shelter is to show the General Shelter community that there is indeed
a serious need for ferret shelters, whether they be in a home, or in a
public building.
 
Many people think that being 501 c 3 is something that opens doors, no,
it doesn't, but it does save on sales tax.  LOL!
 
But perhaps if I can find a way to show foundations that even though
a non profit is in a home, they still are a viable shelter that is
deserving of consideration for a grant, whether it be $100 or $10,0000.
 
Even though we all do our best at education to dispell the myths and bad
press the ferrets have gotten over the years, there still is much left
to do.  One of the areas that education is needed is in the area of the
foundations and HUSU.  To change the way of thinking about ferret
shelters.
 
Whether in a home or in a public building a ferret shelter is deserving
of the respect and funding as any other animal rescue.  That is something
that needs to be understood by the shelter industry itself.
 
This shelter is going into a public building, even if I have to second
mortgage the house to get the things we need, and I am bound and
determined to find a way to drive the point home that home based ferret
shelters are deserving of respect and grants.
 
This whole thing may go up in flames, but I am going to try my best to
get this done.
 
You know, there would be more help if we all rescued elephants.
 
Rissa, please do not think that I am flaming you or disrepecting your
opinion, I am just trying to help folks understand some of the thinking
behind us getting a building.
 
Jean Caputo-Lee
Director
Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter
4116 Bucyrus Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44109
www.ferretsunlimited.org
Non profit, no kill
[Posted in FML issue 5139]