James wrote: >Susie don't you know Sukie Rules Oh, gads, no. Thanks for compliments but I hope that no one takes this as a competition or fight because I am NOT judging the rescue. What I AM doing is trying to find why to improve conditions so that a barrier which caused problems this time doesn't exist in the future. That is why I asked questions. The important points of doing a rescue simply are things I have recently become immersed in (multiple sources, many here on the FML whom we all hold in high regard, multiple resources, etc.) That is the only reason why I was familiar with some points. I've been learning from others and immersed in their expert statements. But that is not what is IMPORTANT right now (though you are sure to have your socks knocked off when the final version of the guidelines to help with rescues comes out -- Renee and I have been working but there were some problems with lost files and how to best say some points). What I am considering important now and discussing now is NOT what already happened! What I am discussing is looking to the future and learning from EVERY past rescue, then sharing what was learned so that with FUTURE rescues we get better and better as a community. James also wrote: >She is all for making sure the ferrets are rescued, but further to >make sure the sickos don't get another chance to commit the same crime. Exactly! The things we should try to achieve EVERYWHERE include improving cooperation with existing humane organizations. The reasons are easy enough to see: 1. it increases the chances of prosecuting which in turn decreases the risks of repetition, 2. it gets more allies and contacts for changing laws and policies for the better for ferrets 3. it helps with education and acceptance with the general public 4. it better distributes the economic burden 5. it better distributes the labor needs 6. it provides facilities and equipment 7. There are a pile more advantages; just think about the topic and you are sure to see more to perhaps share with the FML in a post of your own, each and every one of you! Let's all teach each other! The FML has made so many things better through the years. Why not this, too? Please, folks, do remember that rescues are emotionally painful for us all, but one thing I know for sure from my immersion is that they rip the emotional guts out of whomever is working with the animals so the people do get a bit extra tender and a bit more likely to be defensive as a result of that, exhaustion, and whatever else is going on that we know nothing about. I think that is why Sue at first missed my point and why I was asking. It's not any big deal and it's not a fight. Those folks are TIRED and they are sad because of what they have seen and all of their hard work. It helps them, too, to think about improvements for next time so their work then will be easier and perhaps may stop someone who would otherwise repeat. Hopefully, they will find the time to contribute on ways to achieve that and also on what worked and what didn't work for them (things every rescue operation wind up reviewing afterward to get better) when they feel a bit more rested or want to think about something very hopeful. [Posted in FML issue 4301]