Dooks All ~!~! Well, another Valenitnes Day has passed. Many have received cards and notes from those special people in their lives with a special message 'From The Heart'. Well, the Pacific Ferret Shelter Network (PFSN) would like to include one as well ... Going over last years records it seems the PFSN had a good year. We were able to accomplish quite a bit and, on behalf of the PFSN, I would like to share some of it with you. Last year the shelters under the PFSN umbrella (8 of them) took in 555 homeless and unwanted kids (includes surrenders and rescues). Homes were found for 467 kids. 104 kids were transferred between the shelters to help to find them homes. Sadly, during the year, 95 considered the shelters their last 'home' and went on to the Rainbow Bridge. Naturally these numbers do not reflect how many were in the shelters at the beginning of the year. It doesn't include the permanent residents. It doesn't include those in the ADV Homes. And, since the shelters take responsibility for medical expenses, does not include kids in Foster Homes. There are still kids that call the shelter home and there will always be a need for support of the shelters. There were quite a few fundraisers held by the PFSN (everything from Pasta sales to lollipops, dinners to carwashes, auctions to yardsales). Between the fundraisers and donations the PFSN was able to distribute over $5,000.00 to the shelters in the network. When you consider the cost of medical and other care, that's only a drop in the bucket. We are all very proud of our accomplishments in 2002, our most notable the first ever AFA Sanctioned Ferret Show held in Oregon. There were some difficulties, but we from the responses we received it seems to have turned out quite well. I know what a memorable day it was for me and I still get a tear in my eye thinking about ir. My kids made me quite a proud fuzzy dad that day. We were extremely fortunate to have some new 'sponsors' in our endeavors. Including Mr. Richard Bach who volunteered his time at the book signing, and Portland General Electric which gave us use of a meeting room and canopy at our Fun Frolic. To all our supporters, volunteers, donators ... to all those who helped in whatever way, shape, form - from money to thoughts to working alongside us. To those of you who took the time to listen to our message ... even to our critics who helped us to raise awareness of our cause ...to the vendors who came from far and wide to be at one of our events ...to those who purchased goods from us or attended one of our events... From all of us at the PFSN .. the shelter moms, the volunteers, the foster parents, the vets, and from each of the little fur kids that you have helped . . . . . . A sincere THANK YOU ~!~!~! From the heart. Kevin B & The Way Kewl Kritter Crew [log in to unmask] Oregon Ferret Shelter volunteer http://www.OregonFerretShelter.com Pacific Ferret Shelter Network member http://www.FERRETNET.ORG [Posted in FML issue 4060]