Hello Ferret people.  I must admit the response I received about my
FERRET MONEY post was one of the best nasty notes I have seen in a
while.  The attempt to hide my name was a Noble jester but I don't
post annon.
 
I would like to make a few things clear.  It was suggested that I try
volunteering at a ferret shelter?  I live with people who operate a
ferret shelter.  I understand how much time and money in needed.  I
see the vet bill that comes in that is -$2500.00 that due to lack of
adoptions and donations can't be paid.  On the itemized list your forgot
to add the expenses of running a facility and publicity along with gas
for transport which not just a trip across town can run $10.00.  And
that is only if your lucky enough to have a vet that lives in your town.
Here in NC the only vet who can properly work on ferrets if four hours
away.  The last time I helped to transport ferrets to the vet the gas
alone was over $50.00.  I have driven over 150 miles to pick up a fur
baby for the shelter.  And lets not forget e-bay and pay-pal.  Even if
you sell a sleepy sack or a cage you are still charged fees.
 
My son and I both help clean the cages, give play time, check food and
water, give meds when the operators need to be away.
 
Yes I do understand that there are a lot of funds involved as well as
time.  My point was not to slam the shelters as looking to make money.
Several times it was said that the person selling the Ferret Supplies was
jut trying to dump her ferrets and recoup her losses.  Well, from what I
have come to know she takes good care of her ferrets.  I recently had to
sell a lot of items on e-bay.  I made a good deal of cash but it was used
to pay for an adrenal surgery and six rabies shots.  I was selling dog
supplies but no one assumed that I was trying to get rid of my dogs just
because I was selling dog items.
 
I'm lucky, most of my ferrets are healthy and I have a military facility
vet who can get me my general pet supplies cheaper than most civilian
vets.  It doesn't cost me $28.00 to walk in the door.  I'm also lucky
that I'll be moving to the Boston Area and will be able to take my
fuzzbuts to a state of the art facility that knows ferrets.  I will be
working with the ferret groups there in MA due to their recent shut down
of two NH shelters.
 
The one mistake that was made was that when people saw the original
auction they assumed the worse then acted.  If people had just introduced
themselves properly a lot of this may not have happened.  When I go to
help pick up a ferret, if the people don't offer the supplies right off I
usually politely ask if they would like to donate the items.  I then tell
them why I am asking.  Usually we come away with not only the ferret
items but sometimes a cash donation as well.
 
A radio Commentator Robert D. Raferd makes the comment "We are the
United States of the Offended" as pet care takers we should be better
than that.
 
Again I was not accusing the shelters of trying to make money.  I'm sure
that they had the ferrets best interest at heart but when a person says
"No" it usually means no.  Would the ferrets be better off somewhere
else, maybe, but they won't be happy.  Like I said before, my one ferret
Montana just lives here, he hates all humans.  He could have a house all
to himself but he would ranter be living back in the cardboard box with
his original daddy the only human he ever accepted.
 
Shelters, you all do a great job and a valuable service that is never
thanked enough.  Adopters are to be commended as well for opening up
their hearts and homes to these special bundles of love.  So lets work
together for knowledge and understanding.
 
From Us here at Harmony House: Dust bunnies must be eliminated!
 
Wendy
[Posted in FML issue 4965]