The Ferret Association of CT has published the guidelines for distributing funds collected in the Disaster Relief Fund started as a result of Katrina. You can read all about it and, if needed, obtain the application for funds on our website: http://www.ferret-fact.org Or, if you want to donate, you can do that too! :) We have not yet hit our $1000 match limit as of the last update I recieved. But if we do, the board has been making noise that we should continue the match out of our pockets!!! ... but they haven't put that in writing and I'm not holding my breath! But as they say, it's the thought that counts! Some may ask, why an application? Why paperwork? Why not just send money? Good question. Fast answer - is that it is how all professional non-profits operate. Unless they have a small "pool" of emergency funds that they can just hand out in small doses, all distributions of cash and support are done by application for several reasons. First, it requires that the requesting person or group really think about what they need, why, and how it will be used. Which allows the granting organization to report back to the donors on how their money is being spent! Second, it helps the donor organization better understand the need and assess how it may best be met. For example - if someone needs cages, maybe they are available from another source and we can point the requestor in that direction. Or, they may overlook a need they have. It can work both ways. Third, and no one wants to consider this, is that by asking for aid and completing an application, there is now a paper trail in the event of fraud. No one is going to chase after $25 - but it does give one pause before misrepresenting the facts of their case. We do hope no one feels the "paperwork" is onerous. It is a very "light" version of most grant application. And, please, just because someone is not a 501(c)3 doesn't mean they may not be deserving of help! FACT has purposely allowed "for profits" to request funding (like vets or boarding facilities) . It's all about helping the ferrets! And in times of emergency, many for profits are going above and beyond to help - that behavior needs to be recognized and encouraged. Perhaps someone has space, but no staff to clean it. We need to look and consider beyond the obvious. Thanks all for getting this information into the hands of those who may best be helped by it. Ann Gruden President, Ferret Association of CT, Inc. (FACT) [Posted in FML issue 5006]