First of all I want to make this post perfectly clear: THIS IS NOT A SLAM ON ANYONE, THIS IS JUST A COMMENT MADE FROM PAST OBSERVATIONS! I have worked with county animal controls as well as privately owned shelters for several years and have seen more cases of abuse and neglect than I care to count. More than once I have seen a ferret enter into the local shelter that was nothing but skin and bones. The shortest time I have seen one of these ferret live after being turned over to the shelter was five minuets. I was not present when sweet little princess was turned over after her family reported that she had not eaten or voided for over two weeks, but I saw her when the shelter returned home. When I asked them if they were going to file charges on the people for neglect I was told no because of lack of funds. I also had a bad account with a clueless vet who claimed he worked on ferrets but turned out it was just a two hour lecture. Not only did he gouge me but when putting one of my ferrets to sleep he didn't even come back to check to see if the injection had worked, he just sent the tec in with a box (which was to small). I researched the procedures to bring the vet up on charges of neglect but I needed statements form the shelter folks that had taken my ferret to this vet and witnessed first hand his carelessness. The declined giving me written and signed statements because again they did not want to be involved in bad publicity that may hurt the shelter. Someone with as much money as a vet could easily retaliated by bringing the shelter up on charges of slander. The court cost would wipe the family out as well as shut down the shelter. Shelters work had to maintain what they have. Most of them get small donations but the person who manages it usually pays 75-98% of the overall cost. Bringing up a individual party on neglect or abuse charges can normally be handled by a local Animal Control if they have time. But look at PETA, they have been fighting the big companies like Marshals Farms, Puppy Mills and IAMS for years. They can do it because they have a huge bank account as well as lawyers who want the publicity. I had a puppy mill which I would occasionally visit and then promptly report to the local animal control. Every time that Animal control would show up almost every dog would be gone. The Animal Control Office had a snitch who when they found out about a report to the puppy mill the would give them a heads up so they could stash the dogs. I had a family member who worked for a vet who had some rather shady practices such as faking cremations and giving the family a box of common ashes while he shipped their pet off to a research lab. Several attempts were made to turn this guy in but he had someone on the inside that made sure the vet knew want was happening so he could hide evidence. I don't know about the rest of you but I love watching Animal Rescue 911. The only sad part is that those places are the exception, not the rule. Now my question for everyone who has dealt with animals on a regular rescue basis, How many of you have turned in a neglect or abuse case when a ferret comes to your shelter turned in by the owner? What was the outcome of the case. With these questions answered maybe you can help others with proper procedures. :) Peace From Harmony House P.S. The case of the above crooked vet took place over 20 years. I have no further information. [Posted in FML issue 5028]