>From: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Yes, Sukie you are right! > >I have to admit I never saw Foxy and have no ideal what shape she was >in, but if Cathy Johnson Delaney told me that I needed to put a ferret >to sleep I would trust her judgment completely! I don't think any vet >puts an animal to sleep if there's any possibility that they can heal >the animal... > >As for the shelter. In the past 5 years that the shelter has been open >we have rescued over 3,000 ferrets and found homes for all ferrets that >have been adoptable... > >I hear so much conflict between shelters and people here on the FML. It >is so sad, since we are all here to help the ferrets. We should all be >working together for the benefit of all ferrets and shelters. All this is very well, and like everyone else I do not know the full story. I agree that the study is of vital importance but I would be very upset if I dropped of my ferret for a Lupron shot and came back to find it euthanized. And I doubt if any of you would feel differently about it. NO MATTER WHAT, THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTACTED OR ATLEAST TRIED TO BE CONTACTED BEFORE THE FERRET WAS EUTHANIZED IF IT WAS NECESSARY TO DO SO. LEGALLY I believe a consent form has to be signed!! I also doubt, if Sandy runs a shelter, that she would not notice that the ferret was so ill that it should be euthanized. I guess it would be interesting to see what the forms she was supposed to or did get said, I think that is very important as to the legal aspects of this case. As for the washington ferret shelter and rescue, I don't think Sandy said anything bad about them per se, it sounds more like they got stuck in the middle of this mess, and I am sure everyone is aware of the need of good ferret shelters like them. In anycase it all sounds a little fishy to me and I hope it all gets sorted out. If Dr. Johnson-Delaney, and I mean a big IF, did euthanzie without consent and the animal was not sick to the point that euthanasia was required, she should be brought before the board. No matter how great a doctor she is, we are all accountable for our actions. I hope this is a case of miscommunication or not reading the fine print but I think both Dr. Johnson-Delaney and Sandy have lost a lot. I hope that both the aforementioned(as well as the readers of the FML)will be able to learn from this experience and may it never happen to any of us. Saskia [Posted in FML issue 4330]