Hi everyone, To those of you that have been rescuing for over 10 years, know how bad it was and how bad it has gotten. In the old days (the early 90s), when LOS was in the first 5 years, we took in over 600 ferrets. We were constantly cleaning, bathing, clipping nails, paying extremely high vet bills, and never sleeping. We worked round the clock between myself, my sister, my mom, my dad and my grandmother, we never slept. We made sure all the ferrets got at least an hour run everyday and they were cleaned in shifts. We had play pens all over the house since many did not like being out of their groups. We had cages in every bedroom, bathroom, office, living room, etc. Now things have changed since then but not by much. Our medical bills back then were much lower and we were able to pay for more sugeries all at the same time. Also there were fewer rescues and the economy wasn't hurting like it is now. Th donations were much better back then becuase the economy wasn't like it is now. In recent days, I don't take nearly as many in, why you may ask, because I work a full time job to support the rescue and a part time to support myself. I can't devote as much time as I once did. I don't have the help I once did. I don't have the same agreement with our shelter vets as we once did. Our discount went from 50% to 15% and with the costs of surgery being to incredibly high, my NJ Division President and I are busting our butts going to different pet stores to raise money for our ferrets in need. The part is that all weekend last weekend, I think we raised $18 between the two of us. Folks, I don't know about you, but that says something when people either can't or won't donate becuase they don't have the money. It almost makes me cry when I hear of rescues shutting down and the ripple effect of the rescue disappearing. The ferrets from that rescue may have to be placed in other rescues, which then limits any new rescues, so please folks, your donations are needed for rescues. The quickest way to get them the much needed money is to send it to their vet or send them supplies or contact them directly. But please, I ask of all of you, don't ruin a shelter's reputation by posting slandering posts. This only hurts the ferrrets that rescue took in. Now not everyone may agree with how that rescue gets their money, what should matter is that it is going to ferrets that need it. Please imagine if you will you are being tried for a crime you didn't commit and are prosecuted without proving you didn't do it. That's what has been done to other rescues and is being done now as we speak. Rescues are guilty and have to proof their innocence. That's not how you as an individual are tried. You are innocent until proven guilty. Please take this into consideration before posting. If you have a bone to pick with a rescue, do this off the public forum. It doesn't matter if that rescue is small or large, they are doing their part to the community. Also many have said the money should only go toward shots, medical bills and food. But what about water folks, if a rescue is struggling to the point that they can no longer pay their water bill, that hurts the shelter and the ferrets. How about electric, gas in their car to drive them to the vet, their mortgage payment which proves the ferrets with a shelter over their heads, a new heater (ferrets need warth too), a new air condition (ferrets need to stay cool too), etc? Many people are forgetting that there are things that a shelter needs to consider as well when taking care of many animals. I know I have been there. My air conditioner broke last year while I was at work. It was dead in the middle of summer, I came home to two ferrets dead becuase of heat stroke and others over heated. I ran out and used the last $100 I had to buy a new air condition. I almost had my car taken away becuase I used my car payment money to save the other ferrets in distress. I used my rent money to put a ferret a second chance. So even though it may seem like the shelter isn't using the money donated to them directly to the ferrets, please consider that they used their personal bill money to help their rescues and maybe they are at the point of foreclosure and in danger of losing their ferrets. Money used that indirectly affects the ferrets, still affects them. Now I know many of you may or may agree with that, but I just wanted everyone to realize that all that matters is the ferrets. My only hope is that when I am gone, there will be someone there to continue my work. There have been many hardships in my life and no matter what, my furry little guys are always there to cheer me up. When things are so bad I wanted to scream, there was nothing like having on curl up in my lap and let me know things would be okay. So if I get burned for this, so be it. I didn't want anyone to lose sight of what's important. If anyone has a problem with what I write, direct to me outside of the FML, email me instead. Sincerely, Dawn Smith, Vice President Legion of Superferrets National [Posted in FML issue 4526]