To start with the ferret shelter in question is not closing it's doors nor
is it being made to close it's doors.  The city of Virginia Beach received
a complaint about people living in a garage in her backyard.  I was
there when the city inspector came to her house.  When advised about the
complaint, we both advised him that there were no humans living in the
building.  She showed him the building and at that time he told her what
she was doing was illegal.  He said running a ferret rescue in a
residential area was illegal.  He could not tell her what code she was
violating.  To make a long story short she went back his office and spoke
with the head of planning and was told she was doing nothing illegal.
Infact when the permits were issued for this building it was all in
writing and was signed off for use as a ferret rescue.  As for the
so-called breeders she has 2 whole males there they came from my lines
and were offered to me.  Reason would dictate they should come back to me.
 
These ferrets do not live in bad conditions.  These ferrets are well loved
and well taken care of.  Not many of us have the time or the energy to
take care of geriatric ferrets around the clock like she can and does.
 
As for ferrets being dumped on Lisa she was not offered and would be the
last person to get any of these ferrets and that includes any of mine.  As
far as I know Lisa has never been to see this new building.  I however
spent alot of time over there and tell you first hand about clean this
shelter is.  This building is 1,000 sq.  ft.  2 level fully insulated
heated and air-conditioned.
 
I am sorry Lisa felt it necessary to lie about the situation because when
this all took place Lisa was out of town.  Lisa's boyfriend was contacted
to advise them of the situation to let them know their rescue may also be
at risk.  As my father used to tell me "Don't believe anything you hear
and only half of what you see".  Good words to live by.
 
In closing the worst that could have happened was she would have been told
to close the rescue but would not have get rid of any of the ferrets she
already had.  Ferrets are not regulated in Virginia Beach per the Planning
department.
 
Sue
[Posted in FML issue 3690]