First of all, everyone knows it is me that Laura is speaking about. TinyPrints Ferret Rescue Here. I won't beat around the bush there. I am the one who asked for help sending out packages to the SOS filled with bedding, treats, new medical supplies, and ferret toys. I had 25 surrenders this year of which each of them brought along alot of ferret supplies. I have an overwhelming amount of bedding and although I could sell it and raise money for myself, I felt like there were other shelters who right now, need it more. I have a dry home, air conditioning and a computer. Yes, I have $3200+ in medical bills to pay off from my shelter, but I also have the resources to do so via the Internet and Ferret Shows. Now, if anyone questions my status as a shelter, please email me ([log in to unmask]) . I will provide you with copies of my bills with Horsham Vet Clinic. You may feel free to call them. They are our vet of choice and Anna Edling will be happy to let you know I am a shelter, a full working shelter. We have 2 accounts with them, personal and rescue. Anna knows my personal ferrets as well as which ones are rescue. Avecon also has our information, as well as Petfinder. I had to fill out paperwork to get on Petfinder to prove I was a shelter. I have about 75+ filled out and signed contracts from people who have adopted from me. I have references on my web page of people who have seen my shelter. I do the AFA shows under my shelter name to raise money for my shelter. Judy Cooke can verify I have sent the packages as stated. I have post office receipts also for ALL the packages I have sent down there so far. 11 to be exact, with 2 more going out today. I also will show anyone my paypal statement, because I used my paypal debit card to pay for the packages to be sent. The cash back I earn from the Paypal (using the card as a credit card) will be in turn given to Judy Cooke as a donation to the SOS. Sure, it won't be alot, but every little bit counts. Also any overages in the postage will also be given to Judith Cooke in the same check. I am sorry Laura, I was unaware of the Written Laws of Shelter Ownership saying you can't enjoy or partake in other hobbies, including dog breeding. With my dog breeding, which I have been doing since 2000, the money we get use to go to sponsor dogs with Shih Tzu And Furbaby Rescue. $100 from each puppy sale. I also take in Shih Tzu in our area who are in need of homes. I recently took a Shih Tzu from our local Humane Society down to Princeton, NJ for a rescue, because he was going to be put to sleep due to having to have an eye removed. I FIRMLY believe if you breed and don't rescue, you are not giving back to that breed, being ferrets, dogs, cats or any other animal. Both should go hand in hand. If you create life, then you should also help life when they are down. I don't think that is wrong. Now I give my ferret shelter the $100 from each puppy sale, because frankly I am a pretty good shelter to donate to! You came to me with the same attitude you have here on the FML post. I know what my options are with shipping, I have done ebay since 1999. How would UPS or Fedex know what I am doing is the "Right thing" and not just using the "Katrina Excuse" to get free shipping to a friend. That was the first flaw in your suggestion. And yes, my husband's darn car needs a new transmission, we have heating season coming up (Prepaid oil $2000.00), we have $3300+ in medical bills, we have our Avecon bill at $103.00 to pay for the rescue kids, we have car insurance this month along with the water bill, another $700 out of our pocket. We are a tad bit short on cash this month, sorry. Oh I forgot to mention the high gas prices also. That I am sure has taken a toll on everyone! And even if I got this great discounted price, I don't have a car to drive to Fedex or UPS, which are both about 30 minutes from me. The post office is within a block of my house. Then the other matter of the still needing the money to get them to Florida (Judy Cooke). I told you this in our "private emails". You took it upon yourself to now make this a public issue and slander my shelter. And you supposedly help other shelters, shame on you. Just because I am not 501c(3) does not mean I am not a Fully Functioning shelter. In the State of Pa., you must have a Board of Directors to become 501c(3). It is me and my family, and I don't think the government would look kindly on me either lying about my Board of Directors, which I have been told to do or giving that title to my 10 year old daughter. Heck, I would LOVE to benefit from all the tax breaks, free money and whatever else comes along with the title, but realistically I can't at this time. I still however make sure the quality of my shelter is held at the highest standard I can hold it at. That the ferrets who are in my shelter (all 35 of them right now) are loved, cared for, supplied treats, warm bedding, extremely clean cages, food, water, and OUTSTANDING MEDICAL CARE even though that means driving 1 1/2 hours and spending $50 in gas each time I go. Not to mention the toll costs. If that makes me "Not A True Shelter" then I guess I will belong to the "Not A True Shelter Club". And I will be proud to be in that group. Thanks for the Slamming Laura.........greatly appreciate it. I needed a good cry this morning. But after sitting down and thinking about things, your post puts everything back in check. I do this for the FERRETS in my care, not for the public and especially NOT for you. Marguerite And Her Not A Shelter, Shelter Where No Good Deed Goes Unpunished PS. THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO SPONSORED THE PACKAGES. I WILL BE GLAD TO SEND YOU MY PAYPAL PAGE SHOWING THAT THE MONEY WAS IN FACT USED FOR THE FERRET'S PACKAGES AND SPENT AT THE POST OFFICE. Just email me if you have any questions or doubts. [log in to unmask] At the end of this, we will have sent out 20 packages. I am up to 12 packages sent! IF I get the other sponsors who said they want to sponsor a package, we are done. And Thank YOU again! We did it. Anything that the SOS can't use now, I am sure they will put to good use with other shelters. They can use it for whomever they feel needs it. Life is not how many breaths you take, but how many times it takes your breath away... TinyPrints Ferret Rescue PetFinder Web Page http://www.tinyprintsontheheart.petfinder.org TinyPrints Ferret Rescue Store http://www.tinyprintsontheheart.com/onlinestore.htm Aloha Ferrets Ebay Store http://stores.ebay.com/Aloha-Ferrets-Store [Moderator's note: Actually, wasn't obvious to me at the time of editing that it was a slam, nor to whom it was directed. I'm not too good with names for one thing! But I think you have enough support in this issue to rebut any issues raised yesterday. BIG] [Posted in FML issue 5002]