We currently have 52 ferrets in foster care, many of them elderly. All our ferrets are placed into foster homes until suitable adoptive homes are found. We don't consider any of our fosters permanent residents although many do end up staying with us until their time to travel to the bridge arrives. While in foster care the AFS covers all the medical and maintenance needs for the fosters including the provision of cages, accessories and food and litter, though many of our foster families provide their own food and litter. We have an awesome group of members and volunteers who go above and beyond to help ferrets in need. We also have many good friends from afar who regularly donate bedding and other items. We couldn't do this without them. Our vet bills for the last fiscal year (to end of April 05) were $18,802.50. So far this year vet costs are running at about $8000.00. We have several great vets who give us discounts but veterinary care is very expensive in Alberta and as the number of elderly ferrets increases so does the cost of caring for them. We do not have any outstanding vet bills or other expenses at this time. Barb Hoult Alberta Ferret Society. [Posted in FML issue 4981]