Hi Ela and liat readers, While working with humane community I was made aware of this sad truth- (no funding for non essential animals!). Maddies fund was set up several years ago and specifies what it will and will not cover. Yes, ferrets were new on the scene but they family who gave the money for Maddie's fund specified for dogs and cats only-- as that is primarily what those SPCA, HSUS shelters deal with-- and of course the fund originates in CA where the ferret is a non animal-- a wild and devastating creature to the eco system ( NOT!(). Anyway, there is nothing we can do EXCEPT write to ASPCA and HSUS and tell them UNTIL there is funding available and UNTIL they start treating ferrets as equal companion animals and support shelter programs for them -- we WILL NOT be donating money to them. When you get your unsolicited preprinted forms with postage paid envelopes envelopes - DON't throw them away write a note- send it back & let them pay for your message! Unfortunately it is the financial threat of lost donor dollars that will gain the ferret it's recognition-- to date, these institutions feel we ferret fanciers a non essential to their funding -- so please remember that when writing checks to HSUS and ASPCA! Alicia fighting for recognition of ferrets AS A COMPANION ANIMAL! [Posted in FML issue 3488]