On Mon, 15 Feb 1999, Becky writes:
>I also saw Judge Mills Lane on 2-11 and I think if that had been me that
>lost my two fuzzies to that wench from that selter, I would most probably
>gone there and taken my babies back.  I know this sounds harsh but I think
>even the judge was tempted to do the same.  That lady gives shelters a very
>bad name.  The fuzzies in question were in the court I think and looked
>fine to me....
 
I was at the taping of the show.  The fuzzies in the "courtroom" were not
the ones in question; they were provided by local owners.  I provided a
ferret for the taping -- the one who was busy with the bottle of NutriCal.
He is a six- year old shelter ferret.
 
Prior to the taping, I had the chance to meet the woman who "lost" her
ferrets.  She immediately assumed that Theo, a very large male of almost
six years of age, was one of her "lost" ferrets.  When I explained that he
was not, she seemed to brush it off as an "oh, well, they all look alike"
attitude.
 
Becky, there was evidence there that was not allowed to be presented, such
as the caller ID information which would have proved Jean's case.  It
appears to me that Judge Lane had already made his decision before hearing
anything.  Considering that while in the Green Room, Jean was told to
interrupt when she heard something that she didn't agree with, I'd say it
was a set-up deal and unfair from the get-go.
 
I'm involved in rescue/shelter work.  Many are turned in when they become
sick (we currently have a senior citizen whose illness made her
undesirable), old, or the "novelty" wears off.  Shelter work is not easy.
The screening process and follow-ups on the fuzzies adopted out can be very
taxing.  In my experience, there are more good people who adopt than "bad"
ones.  Please keep in mind that too many folks will turn in a sick or old
animal.
[Posted in FML issue 2589]