I have been asked to explain:

>Can you enlighten us further as to what the "many misconceptions" are?

The quote from Bruno was "Whether they have a 501(C)(3) or like us come
out of pocket for every ferret in our care"

There are many out there who believe that organizations with 501(C)(3)
status receive government money. (They don't.) They just don't have
to pay taxes on the donations received-- just like the church, or the
Salvation army. The entire donation goes to the cause (in this case,
the ferrets.)

Many believe that shelters with 501(C)(3) don't operate out of pocket.
(Many do! In this economy, donations are not exactly pouring in for
anyone LOL)

>he was being inclusive of ALL Shelters, whether they are the
>big-named, well-known, official "businesses" with the non-profit
>status that can do raffles and fundraising for tax-free - down to
>the personal, word-of-mouth small shelters/hospices that aren't
>incorporated and all ferret care comes out of the person's paycheck
>without the benefit(s) larger, well-known shelters have.

We are friends with many of the personal, word-of-mouth small
shelters/hospices that aren't incorporated & whose ferret care comes
out of the person's paycheck. These are lean times. We're all in the
same boat at the end of the day, and we comfort one another. We`re
not in competition. We support each other.

Any good shelter, large or small, will do whatever it takes, go
without whatever they have to -- and even help another shelter who
is struggling -- because we care about the ferrets involved.

Hope this helps.

Love,
Zoo

[Posted in FML 7220]