Hi, all. I haven't posted in awhile, but I have been lurking-it's been all I can do to keep up with the reading lately with my work schedule. Thanks again to everyone who sent condolences on Renate-if I didn't get back to you, there were at least three email addresses that no longer worked when I got around to replying to everyone, so thank you and sorry I missed you personally. I also neglected to thank SOS and Kouri's Fan Klub and all the folks who make those happen for all their support! As many of you know, one of the two ferrets I rescued in November passed awawy on Good Friday this month. Due to my small income and big expenditures lately, I have not been able to donate much the SOS or many ferret shelters, etc., recently, which I feel terrible about. However, I'm still reeling from Renate's bills... But I was hoping you might be able to help me out with a needy. homless ferret who is about a year old. I work at a vet clinic in Worcester, MA and we recently had a client who took in a homeless ferret from someone (circumstances a little fuzzy here, no pun intended) and gave it to his sons. The sons live with their mother, who is moving them to Alabama today and won't let them take the ferret. The father apparently shares one room with two other guys and cannot take it in himself, even for one night. They brought this ferret in to see us in March-it had a swollen, red cherry eye that we treated with terramycin (no other treatment affordable by owner at that time) and there was a question of a mass under the conjunctiva. The ferret had a short history of sneezing and coughing, but eating okay, active, etc. We detected multiple abdominal masses, a bladder mass and turgid/swollen lymph nodes under the jaw. Labwork showed hyperplasia/lymphoid neoplasuia, but lymphoma could not be ruled out. The best way to determine if this ferret has lymphoma and if it has a treatable condition is via exploratory surgery. The owner was willing to pay for half the surgery costs and other treatments with a new owner, but could not keep the ferret himself or pay for the entire treatment. Today he showed up on our doorstep at the hospital with the ferret, saying his sons were moving TODAY and the mother wouldn't take care of the ferret. He lives with two other guys in one room and could not even keep the ferret one night, so he says. Our hospital's owner was not in today to consult with her if we could hospitalize the ferret for one night while I tried to get it a home or foster home, and I couldn't take her myself not knowing what she had and whether or not it could be transferred to my little guys. Long and short is that the ferret was at least taken to the Worcester Rescue League, but can only stay there till they close tomorrow night before they will euthanize her b/c they are not a hospital and cannot take care of undiagnosed, not instantly-treatable animals. I hate the idea of her being put to sleep before anyone's even found out what's really wrong with her; she may be perfectly treatable, though she may not be. Her eye has responded to terramycin treatment and is still swollen and red, but much better looking and she can move it now. My question is, would anyone be willing to help by donating money towards her diagnostic surgery/testing in order to give her a chance? We're looking at about $500 or so, and the owner said he can provide at least half of that. I can at least buy all her meds, food for awhile. Is there anyone willing to foster her or take her in if she is treatable? Please help-I wish I could do it myself, but I don't have the money or facilities to do it alone.... Thanks so much. -April Email me directly if you can help! ASAP!!!! She will put to sleep Tuesday no matter what if I can't get her help! [Posted in FML issue 3768]