I have to respond to FURR and CDFA. You are incorrect in that you are the ONLY licensed ferret rescue in Ca that works with Fish & Game. I have been doing ferret rescue since moving back to Ca in the 1990's and I can tell you that the local animal shelters AND local Fish & Game Department do not always call you when they get a ferret. In fact, they call me where I live, never CDFA or FURR. No, they do not think I operate under any "CFDA" license, and, in fact they could care less that CDFA has any such license. As far as they are concerned, they are happy to get the ferrets out of their hair. Some of the abused, very old or sick/dying of cancer, ferrets even stay here on a permanent basis. I know of several other ferret shelters like mine who have no affiliation to CDFA or FURR and I thank goodness for each and everyone. As far as the "license" being placed in jeopardy, give me a break. Please dont insult us by claiming those who take ferrets into their homes and call ourselves a shelter are risking any license. Honestly, it is insulting given the FACTS. That being said, this doesn't mean anyone can have a "shelter". If you are simply a collector of ferrets this does not make you a shelter. Shelters spend inordinate amounts of money on vet care, surgeries, not to mention food, cages, etc. .... and the time it takes to care for our wards. Taking ferrets in and keeping them as pets does not a shelter make. However, anyone willing to take in an unwanted ferret, whether young, old sick or perfectly healthy does deserve a thank you and so I say to the new ferret "shelter", good luck and thank you! [SC] [Posted in FML issue 4943]