I'm having trouble picking my jaw up from off the ground which is where it's been sitting since I read Betty's post. This is definitely one of those times when my heart is refusing to listen to my head. Those that know me know that I'm a very quiet unassuming sort of person. It takes a lot to ruffle my feathers and it takes even more to make me angry. Right now I'm a tad beyond ruffled! I am here to tell you that Betty would be about as likely to harm or not care for a ferret as it would be for the moon to fall from the sky. This is the first I've heard of this "Do not adopt list" but when Betty posted that her name was on it I....well like I said....I'm still trying to pick my jaw up! I first knew of Betty and her Blur O'Fur from this list. I've read her posts for......gosh.....probably going on 8 years now and right from the first I could feel Betty's love for ferrets shining through. It was there in her words loud and clear for anyone to see. When the Alberta Ferret Society started up over 6 years ago I knew that I wanted Betty to be a part of the team. Betty was hesitant at first about getting involved. She didn't want to get caught up in the politics that all organizations seem to have, and who could blame her - the politics can be brutal, but when we dangled, not figuratively of course, a problem fuzzy in front of her face (a lovely little biter who now resides permanently with Betty) we couldn't get the door open fast enough. Betty was there to save the ferrets and since that day she has never looked back, politics and all! The AFS is a provincial organization that provides shelter, education and adoption services for ferrets. It currently has two operating centres within the province and it's goal is to have operating centres in every major city so that no ferret in our province will have to suffer. Last year though the AFS itself suffered. It suffered a serious set back in its plans at the hands of some of its most trusted members. I will not go into details but I will say that the AFS had to fight long and hard to hold on to what it had created and Betty was right there at the forefront of the battle. Betty gave her blood, sweat and tears to keeping the name of the AFS alive in her community and to restoring its good name. Betty has never sought personal gain or tried to further her own ambitions through her involvement in the AFS. She has given freely of her time and her considerable talents because of her love for the ferrets. Betty shares our dream of providing care for all of Alberta's ferrets, not just those in her own back yard. Betty now manages the operating centre in her community and the AFS is lucky to have her. She is still hurt and angry, and rightfully so, over what was done to the name of the AFS in her community and she still battles to overcome the damage that was done. For every step forward that Betty takes it seems like yet another obstacle presents itself and she has to take two steps back again to regroup and figure out how to get around it. This last year has taken its toll on Betty both emotionally and physically. It is Betty's love for ferrets and her determination to make the AFS succeed in it mission that keeps her going. No one should ever doubt the love that Betty has for ferrets. Now having said all that, I agree.......no one should adopt a ferret to Betty.......except for the AFS.........we need her to much to share her with anyone and we have plenty of ferrets that she is welcome to adopt any day! When do you want them delivered Betty???? Barbara Gustafson Alberta Ferret Society President [Posted in FML issue 4138]