I think it is a pretty sad world (again, as for this happens all the time on this list), that when someone offers to do something nice, mud slinging becomes the norm. I see it is now happening to a shelter in Florida (on another list) who is asking for help, during what is a very unnatural year of hurricanes. I have not heard those rumors, thank goodness, but for whatever reason..........it should not be tolerated. Just rest assured that the people flinging the mud, don't have anything better to contribute to life. Sad, but True. All shelters, big or small are needed in this world. I have been to Dawn's shows and have been to AFA shows. All pretty much the same to me. All take the proper precautions at the door, as far as checking for paperwork on shots and ADV testing. Just because a show is put on by one organization or another, does not make that show "SAFER" then the other. NO SHOW SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SAFE. A ferret can be exposed to ADV between testing. A person can fake a test in so many ways. One can by Furvac online and fake giving shots, using the approved shot instead. (Know that is happening). Many things can be altered to get into these shows. And it is being done. I feel the ONLY shot record which should be excepted is one which is VET/Clinic Given only. This way, if the vet did not give the shots or is faking records, then it falls back on him and they can loose their licences. Breeder or individual given should not be excepted, if the AFA or LOS wants a true say in what is going on. Waviers should be signed at the door also. That the person putting on the show is not responsible. You can't be responsible because there are always people out that who will find a way around something. It is up to the individual owners of the animal to make sure that their animal is safe, and you must do what you can personally live with to ensure that. To safe guard your personal ferrets, they must be kept away from the general public, must only be held when someone uses some sort of germ stopping wash before hand (Better yet, not held by strangers at all), don't participate in the games that they do if they look like they have ferrets who come in close contact with each other, put a mat that you brought on the floor if using a playyard and keep your ferrets away from other ferrets. This way, your ferrets are not exposed to anything but your own ferrets. There are way to many variables in the system for ANYONE to feel 100% Safe. This is both in the AFA shows and the LOS shows. It is really sad that there was not enough parents in this world that pounded this saying into their offspring's head : "If you Don't have anything nice to say........don't say anything at all". People are so quick to judge others, when they don't even walk in their shoes.......... or know them personally, which is really the funny part of it all. Sorry I had to post this without my name, but I don't want to be slammed either. Being the Slam of the Week is not fun for anyone. Maybe there should be a calendar for the "The FML Slam of the Week" . We could use it as a fundraiser for the shelter which are slammed. (TO) [Posted in FML issue 4638]