Dear Ferret Folks- I am in the process of applying for 501A status myself, and I cannot POSSIBLY take on a large number of cuties! They take so much time and effort! Cleaning up after them, feeding and watering them, clipping their nails, cleaning their ears, (the vet visits are a nightmare) trying to find where they stashed the remote *this * time! But does that mean I shouldn't get tax exempt shelter status? I think not. My work is very important. You see, I am currently running a shelter for otherwise un-homable husbands. Mine, for example, is a biter. Many is the time he has sunk down on his knees next to me, bitten my backside, (usually when I'm cooking so I swat him with a spoon, thumping and scruffing has no effect although he is not deaf, only acts that way) and said something to the effect of "good buttmeat!" Not everyone can live with a man like that obviously, and that is just one of his problems. Then there is his boat. I cannot say enough about the boat. Had to buy all new seats for the danged thing, rebuilt the transom. Even bought one of those tent-like temporary garages to cover it. (Not that it has ever been in the water. This boat is much older than the one at Tiny Prints that has people so upset, and that one *floats*!) I figure once my sister and law moves out, and if my mother in law doesn't object too much (they *are* cute, after all) I can house two more downstairs. That will bring the total up to three, and that will be full capacity. If I am very lucky, one or two of them may become adoptable, but really, it's a labor of love. And it's my business. A calling really, and nobody should criticise unless they have tried it themselves. Alexandra in MA P.S. I have never taken a *single* S.O.S. dollar, but I welcome contributions I want to see that %$#@*& boat in the water before I die. [Posted in FML issue 4520]