Reanne asked the question, when operating a shelter/rescue, what constitutes a "personal ferret" as opposed to a shelter ferret. I'm sure this answer will vary from person to person, but here's how and WHY I differentiate: A ferret that I adopted from another shelter, usually in advanced years or with medical issues, is my personal ferret. (I do this because I'm more of a home environment than a shelter with wall-to-wall cages and limited time & space for individual care & play). Ferrets that were given up by an owner who specified that they wanted ME to always keep the ferrets as opposed to adopt them out, are my personal ferrets. 2 ferrets that I purchased (hanging my head because I can't believe I did this) at Petco 5 years ago as Kits, in an emotional reaction to the loss of 5 old ferrets in a short period of time, are my personal ferrets. Ferrets that I am caring for indefinitely, at no charge, while their Mom/Dad is on Active Duty in Iraq are, in my mind, fosters. I fund these out-of-pocket. Ferrets who came into the shelter as give-ups and are considered by many to be "unadoptable" due to advanced age or medical conditions are, in my mind, permanent residents and are shelter ferrets. Not that I would not adopt or foster them out if someone wanted them & was qualified to handle their special needs - but as we all know, these guys tend to not be what most people are looking for when adopting. And the reason I differentiate between them is to keep the money straight. My shelter ferrets are funded primarily out of pocket - but I have fund-raised a few times and feel strongly that all shelter operators have the responsibility of being on the "right side of the line" when it comes to being honest about where that money goes. People are glad to donate to support shelter animals - those give-ups who are waiting to be adopted, those who are permanent residents, etc. They do not donate to a shelter with the intent that the money can also be spent on the shelter operator's personal pets. Even a whiff of impropriety reflects poorly and can effect future donations of not only your own shelter, but shelters in general. I also try to let people know what donations will be used for when possible - "Bunny's adrenal surgery", "Cricket's root canal", "enough litter to keep us in stock for 6 months", etc. Jerri Carel The Ferret Haven Louisville, KY (502) 261-0880 [Posted in FML issue 4544]