>From:    Sukie <[log in to unmask]>
>Perhaps folks in the British ferret groups can find ways to work with the
>RSPCA in some locations where that isn't done yet?  Here in some places
>the local general humane groups are very interested in working with people
>and learning, but in others the local branches/ local general shelters are
>anything but...
 
The RSPCA ran me into debt when they started dumping ferrets on me... Our
local branch is a total waste of space... if it's a cuddly bunny wabbit
great, a nice little pussy cat, or lovely doggy they will probably do
something about it but not for a ferret.
 
When I first started taking in ferrets for them I was given a couple of
vouchers towards neutering costs and promised help with every ferret they
referred to me - when I asked for help because one ferret I took in needed
immediate veterinary treatment (he had a large abscess on his face) I made
the mistake of paying for the treatment out of my own pocket, it came out
of my housekeeping money for Ron's and my own food for the week.  When I
said I'd paid cash up front I was informed that the RSPCA couldn't keep
donating funds to another charity.  Ron was a disabled pensioner, I was
receiving the princely sum of 37 UKP per week as his carer, at no time
has Bolton Ferret Welfare been a registered charity.  I eventually ran up
a veterinary bill of over 600 UKP towards which the RSPCA (one of richest
animal charities in the world) contributed the princely sum of 35 UKP...
Great stuff eh?  As far as I'm aware if the RSPCA ask a person to take in a
stray animal they should contribute enough funds for neutering the animal
and for any veterinary treatment.
 
The *wonderful* organisation even has the nerve to object to the fact that
I am willing to allow ferrets in my care to be adopted to good and caring
working homes.  Using ferrets to chase wild rabbits out of warrens is not
against the law and is a perfectly legitimate form of pest control - I'm a
vegetarian and don't have any problems with using my ferrets for hunting,
I'm the veggie my ferrets are carnivores... Yet the RSPCA advocate the use
of cyanide gas... Wow!  way to go... kill everything underground, it can't
be seen.  Kill the mothers who have left the nursery to get food for
themselves, leave any young to die a horrible death if the gas doesn't
reach the nursery where the youngsters are.
 
I, for one, would love to see them lose the Royal from their title and also
lose their charitable status.  I used to be a member of the RSPCA - that
was before they were taken over by LACS.
 
Now this society wants to ruin the British countryside, ruin the rural
economy etc.
 
BTW the RSPCA know it all - we, the ferret welfares, know nowt about the
animals we care for... I reckon we could get a better response head butting
a brick wall...
 
--
Sheila
Bolton Ferret Welfare.
Author of "All about your Ferret" - Ringpress  ISBN 1-86054-171-2 (UK)
Barron's  ISBN 0-7641-1189-2 (USA & Canada)
Web Site: www.btinternet.com/~sheila/ferrets.htm  last update 7 May 2000
Waiting at Rainbow Bridge: Jill, Deanna Troy, Cameron, Carnath, Button,
Bill, Bobby, Jasper, Inga, Holly, Fergle,  Amanda & Sparky
[Posted in FML issue 3062]