To anonymus poster: The great sanctuary debate
>This was pulled from her post in digest #2007-256 (sept11-12)
>
>I have read Zoo misquoting Miss Clay. Is it intentional or accidental?
I didn't quote Miss Clay at all.
>I firmly believe that there is no such thing as an unadoptable ferret.
LOL--I AGREE with you! The issue is not the ferret--it's the people who
don't want the poor thing. Currently we have several oldsters who poo, &
then often fall in it because their legs don't work so well, anymore.
Their cages need cleaning, several times a day, as do the ferrets. When
they get out to play, they almost never make it to the box. Instead,
they leave a slime trail, as they slither across the room (Ready to
adopt???) We have 15 who don't even know what a litterpan IS. (Gee,
these would be fun pets for the average owner!) We have several who
were brought here with behavioral issues, i.e. bedding eaters, SEVERE
biters, and some who deliberately poo in their food & water dishes.
(Not desirable pets to most.) We have 22 on lupron at this time--(Most
people aren't too interested in the expense of lupron or surgery--and
it's a turn off that they might not have too long with that pet...)
and after shouldering some heartbreaking losses, we are down to 12
insulinomics on meds for life. (Not too many people are interested
in giving meds twice or more a day--and some of our cases are pretty
advanced.) We have several here with lymphoma. Not many private owners
are as knowledgeable & well-equipped for medical emergencies as we
are. Some work long hours away from home & couldn't really monitor
the ferret(s). Average age in our room is somewhere between five &
six years old.
>IMHO a companion animal that is taken in and kept should be called a
>personal. A personal should be cared for out of your own pocket. NOT
>with donations from others.
Anonymus, we are the only ferret facility in 79 miles. We are certainly
not seeking these animals as family pets. We are called when the
animals have nowhere else to go. If not for us, they would be
euthanized. We accept them, regardless of age, health, or disposition.
Some of the donations come from good people who cannot take another
ferret in, but want to help by sponsoring one of ours. Expenses are
staggering! Some donations come from people who were caught in no pets
apartments, or came on tough times like divorce, job change, issues
with their own health, or even the health of the ferret(s). We took
their ferrets in, when the people had nowhere else to turn.These people
want to stay in the ferrets lives, and even come to visit & volunteer.
They have become friends.They would be devastated if their babies were
adopted out. They want them to stay here, and they contribute towards
their care. MOST of our donations, however, come from people who have
been here, met our babies, & have seen what we do. That's when they
really understand... You are welcome to come visit us. Our annual
gathering will be next month, and we would love to have you!
>My famiily has taken in those considered unadoptable and given them
>final loving homes for the rest of their lives
I would like to thank you for this. May God bless you, because people
like you are far & few between. I wish more people out there could
love them for who they are, and not expect perfection.
When we were in the process of applying for, & obtaining our 501(c)(3)
status in 2002, one of the government agents asked us a question about
our "shelter". I corrected him, saying "We are a sanctuary--we don't
adopt out to the general public" He came back with "Well you can CALL
yourselves whatever you WANT--but as far as the government is
concerned, you are a SHELTER. We don't care whether or not you adopt
out"
The government recognizes us as a shelter. I just liked the name
"sanctuary." ( loving refuge.)
No debate.
Love,
Zoo
[Posted in FML 5735]
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