I am afraid that some people may have misunderstood my post.  I did not
say that I did not have the need to KNOW about the why of surrendering, I
stated that I did not CARE.  Two completely different issues.
 
First and foremost-I always ask the reason for surrender.  Why?  Because
if there is a solution to the problem maybe we can fix it together and the
critter has the chance to stay in the home.  This has happened on several
occasions.  There are many misconceptions about ferret care out there and
educating the ferret owner may help.
 
Secondly-I did say that I did not care.  I am not your mother, sister or
other family member that is going to be overjoyed that you are pregnant.
There are several ways to work around a pregnancy.  People have survived
years with pets and babies.  When there is a will, there is a way.  (Health
issues aside).
 
That dream apartment that you have always wanted.  Gee, I guess at the time
you wanted that small fuzzy creature in the pet store just as bad?  Now,
he/she is just another part of your life holding you back from keeping up
with the Joneses.
 
The ferrets are keeping you from traveling.  You heard they only live for
5-6 years and they aren't dead!!!!!  Pity, you should have done more
homework.
 
The ferret is sick and I don't have the money to pay for the medical care.
If you have been a regular client of a vet, who has seen your fuzzies and
knows you, then I would think that a payment plan could be set up.  Unless,
of course, you don't care enough for the welfare of the creature you chose
to spend the rest of their life with.
 
I am tired of taking care of it!!!  It bites!!  It smells!  I guess if you
didn't clean my pan, wash my bedding or feed me, I would smell, bite and
not be a true companion to you either.
 
In the years of rescuing, I have been told that I am callous.  I did not
start out that way.  People, uncaring people, have made me that way.  Do
I care?  NO!!!!!  Am I rude to the people that surrender?  NO!  I bite my
tongue and get as much info from them as I possibly can so that I can take
proper care of the little one after the people have left to go on with
their "carefree" lives.  Stories and reasons become the same old
blah-blah-blah when you start taking in 15 or more critters a month, over
100 a year.
 
The cause is surrender.  Mr. Killian called it what I refer to it as:
Shelter Shock Syndrome.  The only "cure" for this malady is TLC.  And, as I
stated, it is not 100% effective.  I sincerely hope that this has cleared
up a few issues...I apologize for the length of this post and thank you for
reading.
 
Mary
 
http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=6431&mid=87568
http://www.mkaresq.com
[Posted in FML issue 3073]