I think Danee HAS a good point. We have a foster grandparents program at Ferret Wise for those hospice residents who are not adoptable due to medical conditions, age and required medical care. We don't get a lot of partici[pation in this-- but when we do it surely helps. Especially now that due to our emergency admission status ( taking in ferrets from out of state cruelty investigations) all ferret must be ADV tested upon admission. Believe me, this is a most important thing to do for ALL the ferrets - those in the shelter, those coming into the shelter and especially those whom the sheltered ferrets would eventually be living with. The need to do it was clear, but weighing what we would sacrifice from a tight budget already was another issue! However at Ferret Wise that is our policy and we work ever harder to raise the funds not only to provide food, shelter & veterinary care,,, but also ADV testing prior to admission. With regards to the proposed sposorship[ program: every time someone does indeed choose to foster a ferret be it a hospice or an ADV ferret, they are helping the serving shelter by lifting the load just a little bit-- that way the budget can stretch a little more. Hopefully this type of program will help those ADV shelters continue to provide care for the ferrets who they graciously admitted. Indeed this is a very worthwhile program, and if it will keep the door open for those rescue ferrets who test positive which need sheltering I enthusiastically say yes-- There is a NEED for this kind of program. Thanks Danee for thinking of this ( and thank you for fostering two of our kids here too!) I also think there is a need for more folks WHO CAN - can to consider taking in an older or special needs ferret from some of our shelters-- to free up space for the lists of ferrets who need a place to go. It would make a nearly perfect world wouldn't it? Alicia just another shelter mom at Ferret Wise www.ferretwise.org [Posted in FML issue 3369]