>From:    Sam <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Permanent shelter vs personals
>What is the difference between a personal ferret and a permanent shelter?
>Surely a permanent shelter becomes a personal once it's determined that
>they're... well... permanent?
 
To some shelter operators, yes, to others, no.  For example - personal
ferrets were "selected" as that person's pets from the start.  Now, I've
added some from the shelter to my personal collection that I fell in love
with - those are "keepers" and become permanent - i adopted them myself.
Then there are those ferrets that have a quirk or "unadoptable" something
about them, like insulinoma, that become permanent residents.  These I feel
I can spend shelter funds on to maintain or ask for donations to take
care of it's needs.  The Keepers and Personals are my own responsibility
financially.  Sometimes, you meet a person who can deal with a special
quirk and you will let them have that permanent shelter resident, but you'd
rather not let them have a keeper or personal, even if they have the same
quirk.
 
If you have not been there to draw that fine line, then the above may still
not make sense to you.  The bottom line is caring responsibly for only a
certain number of ferrets to give them the time and attention they need,
because you may divide where the money to care for them comes from, but you
can't divide your time and energy and do justice.
 
Pam Troutman, The Ferrets of Pet Pals
[Posted in FML issue 2678]