(posted to both FML and the shelter list)
I don't post very often but this is one I wanted to add my $0.02 to:
 
Pam, your questionnaire was excellent.  Thank you.
 
I believe accountability is an important aspect of running any kind of
shelter, whether you are publicly or privately funded, or do it all out-of-
pocket.  Sometimes the ones we are accountable to are mandated by law,
sometimes only by conscience, sometimes both.  I decided a long time ago to
keep an open invitation to any vet in my county to visit any time to see
how I'm caring for the animals in my charge.  All I ask is a phone call to
make sure I'm home first - no appointment needed, I won't put them off
until tomorrow or next week to give me a chance to "clean up" first.
This forces me to make sure appropriate care is provided 24/7 - meaning
cleanliness, safety, adequate food and water, bedding, space (not
overcrowded), etc.  Doesn't mean I'm perfect by any means.  But it does
make me work harder.  :) And it makes them more comfortable about referring
people to me for advice or help on practical matters of daily care, or to
adopt.  So I benefit also.
 
There are 3 questions I have to ask myself regularly -
1)  Will this ferret be better off for having passed through my hands?
2)  If I applied to adopt from me, would I be able to pass my own adoption
    screening?
    (or are my standards so high that even I couldn't meet them?)
3)  Even if someone doesn't adopt from me, have I set a good enough example
    and provided enough "user-friendly" information that they'll be able
    to meet a ferret's needs should they decide to adopt/purchase from
    somewhere else?
 
If I can't answer "Yes" to all three questions, honestly, then I have no
business doing this.
 
I'm not perfect by any means.  Yes, I make mistakes.  There are shelters
who can provide more than I can and I know it.  I know there are also those
who provide less.  I know I'm not the best answer to many of these ferrets -
they need homes and families of their own, not just a "borrowed Mom."  But
sometimes I'm the only answer some of them have, even if temporarily, and I
take my chosen responsibility seriously.
 
Yes, I've turned ferrets away.  If it's a voluntary surrender, and I don't
have room, I'll put them on a waiting list to come in or try to put them in
contact with others who may be able to help sooner.  If I can help the
owner find a way to keep them himself, I will.  I don't turn away an
emergency - one that literally has no place to go or no time to wait.
Fortunately there aren't that many of those.  Animal Control refers all
stray ferrets to me now, and the vets in this area are very supportive.
We're fortunate that way; I know there are folks who don't have that
encouragement.
 
So I have to say I agree that we need to examine why we're doing this, and
what results we're getting with what we're doing - and change what we're
doing if we're not getting the right results.  But also, we need to know
when we're doing it RIGHT, according to the resources we have available,
and not feel guilty that we can't do it all.  No one can.  That's why we
try to work together, to share knowledge and experience, to share the bad
as well as the good so that all can learn and benefit.  I know I couldn't
do a fraction of what I do if I didn't have the example of others to
encourage me.  I'm grateful to everyone I've learned from, whether directly
or indirectly.  I hope I'm still learning.
 
Local folks know I'm here, but I should probably post more, just to keep
the word out that El Paso is ferret friendly.  I'm better at lurking than
writing.  LOL
 
Oh - I've had two Long-Tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) turned over to me
in the last year or so as "stray ferrets"...... Beautiful animals.  I send
them to the Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Refuge so they can be returned to
the desert safely.  More good people here.
 
Wishing all a safe and joyous Holiday,
Carla Smith
WhyNot? Ferrets
www.whynotferrets.com
member, Rio Grande Domestic Ferret Club of El Paso, TX
[Posted in FML issue 2518]