I would like to thank Maren Doshier, from Raisins From Heaven Ferret
Rescue & Sanctuary in Hernando, MS, for her wonderful and supportive
post about taking in ferrets from "Kill Shelters" whenever those
dreaded calls come. We hate those calls. When they come we know we are
looking at, possibly, upper respiratory infections, coccidia, H1N1,
not to mention the usual...older, adrenal, inslunoma, dehydration,
starvation, etc.... along with more vet bills. But, we are a Ferret
Rescue & Shelter, we can not say "NO" to a "kill shelter".

Now, Robin, I do not know you personally, only by reputation, which
until now, had been very good. I can't believe that you had the
unmitigated gaul to to post, on the FML, to Marlene " I wish you had
looked before you took a leap off that cliff called ignorance".
Marlene's post was in NO WAY ignorant nor did she leap off any cliff.
She did not mention any names or names of any Shelters. I'm so happy to
see that you think so much of yourself that you knew the post was meant
for you. Please, let me enlighten you. You are not that important. Her
post was meant for all Shelters and Rescues who have turned down "Kill
Shelters". However, now that you have admitted that you are just a few
miles away from the Arlington ferrets, knowing it is a Kill Shelter,
and that you told them NO (btw, you weren't the only one), I'd like to
know why you couldn't have done something? Anything? Those two ferrets
were sitting in this "kill shelter", one already diagnosed with
inslunoma, drooling, and NOT getting any medication (Pred.) You are a
few miles away. We are two and a half hours away. While we were trying
to arrange transport, to get them in here as soon as possible, you were
just sitting there. Unbelievable. In my opinion you have no right to
call yourself a rescue. I understand your medical ailments. I have my
own. I won't list them here as I don't want them construed as excuses,
but, I can assure you they are more than just needing surgery on both
writs and a thumb. It doesn't stop me from trying to help. You could
have told Arlington that you'd make a few calls for them or taken the
ferrets in until you could get in touch with us (so they could be on
meds already). It was bad enough that we had to get ferrets from
Arlington in December (that were in horrible shape) because Shelters in
their area said NO, but, now we had to do it once AGAIN. The SAME Kill
Shelter. Then, after all of this, you want to ask people for money for
your vet bills? What planet are you living on????? I am just so angry.
Do you want to know what our Vet bills are? Currently, we owe over
$1,800.00. We don't ask for money. We know people are having a
financially hard time. We have sick ferrets as well. I'm sure every
Shelter out there does. We only have one bonded pair that is available
for adoption, so, we have no income coming in either. I, truly, don't
see your point, nor do I think you have a leg to stand on, for leaving
those ferrets in that shelter.

My apologies to everyone else who is reading this. I felt I had to vent
and set some things straight. Thank you to all of you who sent personal
e-mails and for the phone calls to Marlene showing your support for
what she had to say.

Proudly, I am,

Paige Collier
Richmond Ferret Rescue League
Director of Adoptions and Rehabilitation
(804) 265-8813

[Posted in FML 6619]