Dear Anonymous
 
In response to your question on the FML regarding the Alberta Ferret
Society and FRES and why there are two organizations in your City that
seem to be competing with each other.  Due to some previous postings on
the FML it is no big secret that the AFS experienced some difficulties
within one of its Operating Centres in May of 2002.  The individuals
involved in this issue are no longer associated with the AFS.  I cannot
speak for why these individuals acted they way they did though I am sure
they had their reasons.
 
The FML is a public forum and I am not prepared to drag up the past or
to discuss the details in public.  I honestly do not see any benefit in
doing so and it certainly would not change what happened.  Suffice is to
say that although this was a difficult and stressful time for all of the
individuals involved on both sides of the fence at no time did any of
the ferrets under the care of the AFS suffer from a lack of attention to
their needs.
 
Anon, I sincerely regret the confusion this has caused you and I would be
more than happy to speak to you privately about this matter if you think
it would help.  You can reach me via our Hotline at 1-877-FERRET-0.
 
BILL I hope you will respect my decision not to allow public discussion
of this issue.  To do so would only open up old wounds and I prefer that
the members of the AFS look to the future and not dwell on the past.
 
Barbara Gustafson
Alberta Ferret Society
President
 
[Moderator's note: I don't see a problem with a non-confrontational
response (such as your own, which certainly fell into that category!)...
Other responses will be taken on a case-by-case basis, but basically I
do agree with your desire to keep "old wounds" "closed."  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 4176]