Well at the risk of garnering more hate mail... I applaud the person who wrote the message in defense of rescues and shelters. I joke with my daughter all the time telling her I'm going to be living under a bridge someday, simply because I can not help these ferrets running my rescue and save for my "golden years". AND I have made my choice. Would I appreciate financial help with my surgery candidates.. Hell yes... but I have not posted here for help, mostly because so many others do. AND I DO NOT BEGRUDGE THEM THIS VENUE... we do what we must to help these guys and if we have to beg, borrow, or steal (ok maybe not steal) to get them help - then that's what we do. And what better place to raise money for ferret rescue than on a FERRET MAILLIST? Intolerance and mean postings is what got me caught up in a whirlwind of mean mail last time and it just keeps on rearing it's ugly head.. so here I go again... guess I didn't really learn.. at least not when it comes to defending and loving ferrets... I agree with the message that says quit your b****** and help out. If you can't you can't if you won't you won't ... BUT WHY MOUTH OFF AND COMPLAIN ABOUT SOMEONE TRYING HARD TO DO THE BEST FOR OUR BELOVED FERRETS what is wrong with you? you who can only be mean... Learn to be charitible - tithe to your church of choice - if you wish --- and tithe to your charity of choice - (that means give regularily - can you afford $20 per week or per month - what would you have to do without for that amount of money?) ... As for auctions and fundraisers... no one is asking for a free ride here.. they are just letting other ferret lovers know ... "if you want stuff -- here it is and it helps save ferrets"... BTW I have many people who adopt who want to know where to get ferret stuff... I tell them to look to the rescues. I'm not talented and I don't solicit people to make stuff for me to sell or auction off. but gee maybe I should - not so I can eat Filet Mignon but so I can buy a bottle of pred or get a couple of rabies and distemper shots... and just for the record I don't know about the huge rescues with dozens of fosters homes and supporters, but I CAN speak for the smaller, private rescue like mine... we do spend every penny we can muster on these ferrets one way or another and we do let our own nutrition slide and we do wear old rags and worn out shoes because that money is needed for the vets... or for perpetual medication... or good food for the near death ferrets who were kept outside and fed dog good or rabbit food.... and we do let our taxes slide and risk loosing our homes, because this one or that one or the dozen one person alone dumped because he/she just didn't have "time" anymore and the ferrets are old now... never mind that 4 of them have adrenal disease and 2 are sick with insulinoma and another has a huge tumor growing out of her neck... WE TAKE CARE OF THAT... what do you do beside gripe and try to make other people feel bad about what they do? Thank you Anonymous Poster... for speaking up too... Vicki Vicki Montgomery Tricks and Treats Rescue Pasadena, TX 77506 [Posted in FML issue 4860]