Kelleen,
 
>And yes this vet would have wanted $17 per ferret, I only took in two of
>them due to extreme costs the 1st time.  I am new at this and still
>learning and still searching for a vet to help that is willing to do
>possibly more than just a 10% discount and still knows his stuff.
 
$17.00 a ferret is not unreasonable in the least.  I know it's difficult
when you run a shelter and funds are tight, but here in our parts the
average office visit is $35.00 - $45.00, per animal.  I am lucky to have
found a vet who approached me and offered his services at a reduced rate
(he's a rare jewel - didn't know me from a hole in the wall, but said caring
for the ferrets was the most important thing).  Phone around - it takes some
real searching to find a vet who knows his/her stuff in the ferret
department, but it can be done.  Print up information on your organization
and mail it to vets, or bring it to them and speak with them - they'll take
you more seriously then.  Don't get discouraged - you'll find a good vet
eventually.  Consider yourself lucky that you get donations - we don;t and
everything comes out of pocket or we recoup some of it with the adoption
fees, but not all.  I'm $600.00 out of pocket now, and try explaining to
your student loan department that you ran out of money this semester because
you were paying to care for ferrets that aren't even yours (it's not a fun
task).
 
Try running an ad in the newspaper - whenever I see ferrets offered free in
the paper, I know its time to remind people we are out here.  'Course, we
couldn't afford it, but we're getting swamped with calls and eventually, the
ad will pay for itself.
 
I wanted to introduce our newest ferret, Willy, a 4 year old dark eyed white
that I found in the back of a pet supply store with a little boy weeping
over his cage (his parents made him give him up that very morning).  Okay, I
have 8 ferrets (too many already) but how could I pass up this little gem?
The little boy was happy, knowing his ferret was going to a good home and
Willy is happy because he gets lots of cuddles all day long.  My SO isn;t
too happy, because we sure couldn;t afford to buy another ferret, but I'm
happy because he's my first dark eyed white and a snuggler to boot.  Three
outta four ain't too bad I guess.
 
Sheena
WFHH, GVFIS
FAGV and FFCR
[Posted in FML issue 1556]