This is a response to Sara Petersen's (FURRY) attack of the Greater Chicago
Ferret Association (GCFA),
 
This is my first post to the FML, I felt it necessary to respond to Ms.
Petersen's false accusations in the forum in which she chose to post them.
I have been a member and shelter volunteer of the GCFA for 7 years.
 
Ms. Petersen, I do not know where you are getting your information, but I
highly suggest that you get your facts straight before you post them in a
public forum as fact.  I for one, do not understand why you feel the need
to attack an organization whose main goal is to help unfortunate, homeless
ferrets???  But since you did, I cannot sit still and let these false
accusations lie!
 
So I will address each accusation personally...
 
The statement that the GCFA does not let the ferrets get adopted out
because the volunteers are to attached is ridiculous.  Do you realize the #
of ferrets that go in and out our door?  If a ferret becomes a favorite of
a shelter volunteer then that ferret usually ends up being adopted by that
volunteer.  (A hazard of volunteering known as "ferret math").  Everyone at
the GCFA wants nothing more than for each one of the fuzzies to get into a
good home!  With the understanding that your shelter wanted to help the
GCFA by taking some of the overflow of homeless ferrets and bring them into
your shelter, and the GCFA had homeless ferrets on a waiting list to be
brought in for you to take, I don't understand what the problem is?  Since
the ferrets at the shelter had already been checked into the GCFA, the
shelter system, been seen by the shelter vet, and have had their shots.  It
seemed sensible for your shelter to take in the homeless ferrets on the
waiting list that were being brought in that day for the purpose of their
owners giving them up to your shelter.
 
As far as making the GCFA visible, The GCFA uses various forms of media
to help get the word out.  They have been involved with the Chicago Pet
expo providing information to the Chicago land area.  The GCFA has been
on TV several times this year.  Many articles have been posted in local
newspapers.  Our shelter/club information is posted in many Vet offices.
We are listed with the animal rescue groups within the Chicago land area.
The GCFA has a website on the internet, they have fundraisers, a
newsletter, and take part in information days at local humane society
functions.
 
As far as adoption requirements... Do you even know how the GCFA does their
adoptions?  The suggestion that someone filled out a questionnaire and was
never responded to confuses me.  That isn't the way adoptions are done?
Appointments are made for personal interviews to determine if the adopter
is a good potential ferret owner and if the ferret is right for them.
Perhaps the person that you quoted has the GCFA confused with another
ferret shelter that used to be in the area that recently closed down?
 
Ms. Petersen, I am very disappointed with the way you chose to question why
someone felt it in their heart to help a good organization such as the GCFA
by posting a harmless request for volunteers on the FML.  You took this
opportunity to turn what was a nice gesture into a personal attack.  When
you attack the GCFA, you are also attacking the many volunteers who hold
full time jobs and give up what little free time they have to help better a
needy ferrets life.  You are attacking those who cry over the ferret who
lost it's battle for life because of their owners neglect, and were brought
in to the GCFA to late to be saved.  You attack the volunteers who sit in
the animal emergency clinics in the middle of the night with sick shelter
ferrets.  You attack the people who spend hours scrubbing cages, giving
medication and loving these little ones who otherwise would have no one
else in the world!!
 
Why do we all do this at the GCFA?  Because we care and it is the least we
can do to make a difference in each one of these little creatures lives!!
 
Patty Petrillo
GCFA member/shelter volunteer
[Posted in FML issue 3225]