I am posting this anonymously as I don't want to start any shelter bashing or insult someone publicly for being rude. I am extremely disappointed by the fact that I did not get any kind of acknowledgement of receipt of my donation as a Santa. This is a poor practice for any shelter receiving donations (especially when they are actively soliciting them) to not at least send an email saying that you received the donation. The Giving Tree is set up to help special ferrets in need and request special items. The Santas out there, not even knowing the ferret or shelter, go out of their way to assist the shelter and ferret by providing the requested items. I think that they at least deserves a thank you. I typically support the shelters I know personally, however this year a cute face caught my eye and I thought that this is a neat idea, I'll give it a try, maybe make a new friend in the process. I got an email from the shelter operator telling me where to send the donations, I purchased about $50 (more than I spent on my siblings or my own ferrets, mind you) of items from several stores and on-line, paid another $8 dollars for shipping....I sent an email to let her know that the gifts were on their way. Not even an email... I know the holiday season is about giving, but appreciation is in there somewhere too. Personally, I will not donate through this method again, I will go back to supporting the shelters I know. I am thankful for the shelters and the hard work they do and the time, money and caring that they do without question...however donors need to be appreciated to. [AC] [Posted in FML issue 4365]