[Moderator's note: Unfortunately, I didn't check the URL that was posted
by "wormhole" yesterday.  The post itself was rather harmless -- in effect
it said that if you give money to a shelter you shouldn't necessarily do
so blindly.  I had no idea it was a scheme meant to infer that KiSta is
not worthy of consideration.  They are a great shelter and in my opinion
"wormhole"'s post was a cheap shot.  BIG]
 
Hi FML'ers,
 
I am writing to clear my name.  I'm Kim, from KiSta Ferret Shelter.  I'll
address each of "wormhole"s concerns.
 
Drugs: Yes, I've done drugs before.  Many of them, on many occasions, for
many years.  I do not do drugs anymore.  I am 31 years old, and I've
learned from my mistakes as a teenager/young adult.  I have much more
important things to do with my life now, like caring for the shelter
ferrets.
 
Anger: Yes, I do get angry at people.  I even get angry with the ferrets
occasionally.  This does not mean I would hit a person, or a ferret.  I
might yell, but I wouldn't strike any person or animal.  I am not abusive
or cruel towards the ferrets.  I love them all as if they were my own pets.
 
Alcohol: Yes, I drink beer.  I love beer.  Does that mean I drink a case of
beer a day and not care for my pets?  No.  Only that I like beer.
 
Dirty Shelter: Yes, every day my shelter gets dirty.  That's why I'm here,
to clean it up and love the ferrets every day.  Right now, yes, the shelter
is dirtier than usual, since I am supposed to be on complete bedrest, and
not able to clean the cages as I've injured my back.  This doesn't mean
that the ferrets are being neglected.  My new baby ferret, and 2 shelter
ferrets are now in my room, since they require more attention (the baby)
and medications (the 2 old ladies).  My friend Lisa comes over to clean up
the cages and make sure everyone's happy, fed & watered.  Unfortunately,
since she doesn't know the ferrets by face/sight, their playtime is limited
now, to one cage at a time.  All cages still get time out, but its not for
the 2-3 hours that they're used to.  But, they're still be very well cared
for.
 
Not Really a Shelter: That's just ridiculous.  My home is open to anyone
that would like to come & see the 35 ferrets firsthand, and the conditions
they live in.
 
Donations: I have only once asked for donations, which is when the 29
ferrets from Loving Ferrets came to our shelter.  I appreciate donations,
but I am proud to say that the shelter is pretty self sufficient.
 
Unemployed: Again, ridiculous.  I am lucky enough to have a job where I can
work from home 5 days out of the week, which allows me plenty of time to
care for and spoil the ferrets.  I also sell LOTS of things on Ebay, which
also helps pay the vet bills.
 
Breeder: Not yet!  I am considering breeding ferrets on a very small scale,
but not anytime soon.  The baby ferret that I mentioned above would be my
first whole ferret, and right now he is only 7 weeks old, so I have plenty
of time to decide.  I also alerted the MetroFerret Club about this, when I
first decided to get baby Fetus from Bev Fox in Ohio, since I do know the
rules, and didn't want to be evasive with the club.
 
I do agree, that visiting a shelter can give you a good idea of what they
need, and how they operate.  I know our shelter is always open to visitors.
Some shelters are dirty, and the animals neglected.  So far, I only know
that firsthand about the Loving Ferrets shelter, and only because their
facility was raided by the SPCA.  I was the one that took them in.  I had
to be fully inspected, and my vet consulted for a reference before I was
allowed to take them in.  I take pride in keeping the shelter clean and a
fun place for the ferrets to live until they find a new home.
 
It's funny, this post came thru the same day that my work received a very
strange phone call.  Someone called there, and told the receptionist, and
my boss, that they were calling from so and so bondsman, and that I was in
jail on drug charges and requested they call my work for the bail money.
This couldn't be further from the truth, or more embarrassing.  Not to
mention a serious crime.  Thankfully, my employer knows me better than
that, and refused to give out any information or credit card information.
They refused to leave a phone number, and ended up hanging up on him.  What
also concerns me is how they found out my place of employment.  I am now
wondering if this same person is also responsible for sending me the
"donations" from the stolen credit card.  I find it odd that the person who
posted this did so basically anonymously, since the freedom.net site exists
only for one thing, which is untraceable, anonymous email.  I was also very
suprised that it got thru at all, considering it was basically nothing more
than assumptions and lies about me personally, and my shelter.  Not only
that but I would be willing to bet that the wormhole pseudonym as it exists
from freedom.net isn't even subscribed to the FML.  This practice makes the
FML an open forum for anybody with a grudge to take pot shots at any member
on this forum.
 
Again, I am very sorry to have to take up your time attempting to clear my
name.  I hope that my reputation has not been tarnished by this, and the
ferrets be the ones to suffer.  The reason I shelter ferrets is not for
personal gain, or ego stroking, it's to help them.  And, if this person's
lies affect the ferrets, that would anger me more than anything I can think
of.  I'm a big girl, and I can take care of myself, but to say these things
in hopes that everyone would believe them, and consider my shelter not
worthy of adopting from, that is where I would lose it.
 
If you would like references from my vet, other shelters (dog & cat, as
well as ferret) or past adoptees, I'd be more than happy to provide them to
you.  My shelter is licensed, and passed 2 separate inspections last year.
I give my shelter ferrets everything they could need or want.  If someone
finds fault in the way my shelter is run, please do not hesitate to contact
me.  I am always open to suggestions and ideas.
 
Thank you,
 
Kim Rushing
KiSta Ferret Shelter
www.kistaferret.com
 
Want to help our shelter?  Click here:
http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=030&mid=7501
for instant ferret karma!
[Posted in FML issue 3055]