** High Priority **
 
To The Individual Who Finds Solicitations Offensive:
 
I did not see yesterday's post for financial assistance, so I am not
responding about it in particular.  I am sorry that you are offended by this
type of request.  However, when a rescue is made, sometimes the only way it
can be accomplished is by the assistance of fellow ferret-lovers.  The
internet is the fastest and least expensive way to 'get the word out'.
 
I was recently involved in the rescue of 45 ferrets from Kansas.  It was
imperative that we act fast, on behalf of those ferrets.  Yes, I am a
shelter and rescue.  In order to rescue ones in my own area, I have never
requested funds.  However, a rescue of the size in Kansas required that
several of us funnel our own time and resources quickly.  I am just like
everyone else - or most everyone.  I am a single parent supporting a total
of 5 people.  I work 60+ hours a week, though I don't get paid any overtime.
I made a vow to help rescue ferrets whenever and wherever I possibly could.
It is from the love of ferrets that the opportunity for others to help is
also offered.  It brings me joy to save a ferret; it brings others joy to
know that they helped.  Their help may be in the form of donating supplies,
transporting, assisting financially or, the greatest being volunteering to
take in some of the rescues as their own.
 
Solicitations are normally investigated by the FML sponsor to insure their
validity.  Granted, some may slip through - no one is perfect.  But for the
most part, I know for a fact that upstanding shelters do NOT solicit funds
unless it is an emergency.  I wish none of us had to be concerned with
finances.  But, it is a fact that shelters normally have to support their
efforts via their own personal funds, and personal funds do run out from
time to time.  Rescues come in abused, neglected and in need of medical
attention - some very costly.  Vets aren't free, nor are the supplies needed
to run a shelter.  Sometimes a little relief comes when a ferret rescued is
in good health and can be adopted out; shelters usually charge around $75 -
$80 for these ferrets - to help offset shelter expenses.  But we don't
always have enough of the healthy ferrets to adopt out to cover the expenses
for the remaining ones.  Thus, a request for assistance.
 
Please don't think for a moment that I am trying to 'put you down'.  That is
not my intention at all.  I only wanted to share some of the reasons with
you so you might more fully understand why we have to request funds
sometimes.  Those that have donated to the Kansas rescue were able to share
in its success.  Doing so makes a person feel good about themselves.  Seeing
the results of their assistance makes them realize that when a large group
bans together for a common goal - it is not a hardship on any one person,
and, it is a blessing to all.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.  I would be more
than happy to respond.  I hope this explanation will help to soften the
offense you feel when shelters do request assistance.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read my note.
 
Kaye Pullen
Ferretville Shelter & Rescue
[Posted in FML issue 1744]