For Dawn and her fuzzies
 
You wrote a very nice letter to FML that imparted a great deal of
information.  Thank you for sharing your story, your observations, and
asking us for advice and help.
 
A number of people on FML apparently believe that one should have as many
ferrets as are desired without concern for finances.  I sincerely hope that
those people and others of us will help you by offering advice, telling you
of a good home, and perhaps offering financial support.  I personally would
have found an association that accepted ferrets.  Most associations around
here don't even know what a ferret is.  Does anyone live in Minnesota that
could offer an alternative to housing that would be reasonable?
 
I will be at Mall of America this weekend.  Are you nearby?  What are the
ferrets sexes, ages, colors, health, and shot info?  What do they eat?  Do
they have a carrier?  Do you have their vet papers and rabies tags?
 
I certainly agree with you that the shelters seem to be accumulating
unGodly numbers of sick ferrets that need to be in a permanent hospital
type setting.  But I do not think that you can ask a shelter operator who
is a nurturing care giver to kill sick babies for you--or anyone else.
 
I think that we need to screen more carefully when we adopt out ferrets.
I know we need to get them out of the shelter to make room for others.
But you condemn them to a life of horror when they are sold like slaves to
people who have no resources or who come in drunk and smoking.  Or selling
them to a husband who does not bring in his wife??  Not making sure the
client realizes the potential costs??  Selling to college students at the
dorms??
 
I think we need to stop promoting these living intelligent beings as though
they are disposable "items."
 
Sorry if I sound emotional.  GCFA has 50 sick ferrets no one will help.
FAIR has OVER 50 sick ferrets.  Alicia wrote that she also has this many.
And now Dawn writes that the shelter operator there is overburdened with
expense, medications, syringe feedings, surgeries: sick bored lonely babies
dumped and dying unloved--alone.
 
Just seems like there is more that we should be trying to do.  Your letter
really hit me Dawn.  I hope that FML can help you.
 
Lisette
[Posted in FML issue 2770]