Oh where oh where do I begin? I guess I will begin with my heart.... ferrets. That is what it is all about. I don't want to debate anything or stick my nose where it doesn't belong. So I won't. I will stick to what I know and how I feel. I run a small ferret shelter. Our average in the shelter is 10. We have gotten up to 27 and had to shut the doors for new surrenders because we cannot care for that many and still keep up our level of care (our own personal choice). We know our limits. So, I am a small shelter... but I have never EVER been pushed aside. Yes, other larger shelters are more widely known and receive more funding and recognition... but you know what? They should. They have more than I do so should be able to ask for more assistance when needed. We receive help when we ask. The ferret community somehow comes together for everyone and helps. SOS helps. They do a lot of work that is not posted here on the FML. They do support the small shelters. When SOS donates, it is normally in the form of a check to the shelter vet or to one of the online ferret stores where the shelter can buy food. I worry that people will stop giving. Please don't. If you worry about where your money is going, send a donation to the vet, or SOS, or send the shelter you want to help ferret supplies. But don't stop giving. Mark, I know you weren't attacking the shelters and I hope that no one flames you. However, you seem concerned about giving to shelters or even that shelters ask for donations. I am glad you were able to do the shelter that you did without having to ask. There are a lot of shelters out there that do it too. I will never, and have never, "slugged it out" with another shelter, large or small. I like to think that all of the shelters in Arizona talk to each other and help each other out when we can. Sheltering is a community all in it's own. We don't always agree and we don't always do everything the same, but our main goal is to place the ferrets in wonderful forever homes, and care for the ones left behind. Some shelters stay quiet about their needs, others don't. There is nothing wrong with either one. It is just how their shelter operates. So, where does the money go that is received? Since I can and will only speak about our shelter I will tell you... it goes to pay off a $900 vet bill, it goes to supply food, treats, litter and bedding for our shelter kids. I don't spend the money on me...shoot I wouldn't know what to buy! I'd just buy more ferret stuff! LOL Anyways, the point of my soapbox was... there are a few shelters out there that might not play well with others, but most that I have come across are wonderful people that are just looking out for the welfare of the ferrets. As for large scale rescues that come up. Well, each person that is responsible for the rescue puts the ferret first. We may not always agree on how they do it and with what steps, but we are not the ones doing it, they are. Not every situation is perfect and you make do with what you have and what you can do. Personally I think that all of the large rescues have gone wonderfully. If you don't think so, find one of the rescue kids and just look at them, how happy they are.... that is what it is all about.... THE FERRETS. off soapbox for awhile now :-) Thank you for listening to me mumble Joanne Ruffner Ferret Corner Shelter "Ferrets are the Spice of Life" www.geocities.com/ferretcorneraz www.supportourshelters.org www.geocities.com/neverforeverland There's a pot of Ferret Love at the end of the Rainbow [Posted in FML issue 4302]