Risa said it so well.We shelters need help all year,not just holidays. Thosethat have even weekly help are so truely blessed. As I'm the only registered shelter in this entire state,it makes for a full house.There's no way I can do all of the ferrets on my own.I'm ever so thankful for the help of Denise whom has opened her heart/home to help the ferrets in the North end of the state.She too is full. We both work full time jobs,have families & no help.Sad but true.I've had fliers up at all vets offices,ads in papers for years & nobody even wants to volunteer.I do have some wonderful ladies who make sure my shelter never needs beddings.That in itself is a blessing. Most of my shelter now consists of older kids,lots of hospice ones.Ones that I know will die if they were to leave here.And they know they have not only my heart but a forever home here. I know there are some on this list that are within a couple hours of driving time.Can't you offer to come clean cages,scoop poop just one day a month even? I'm going thru more medical stuff.As we age,it seems as tho our bodies start going downhill.This is true for me.This year has been a hellish one & is still continueing.As I had major surgery in the last of Sept.I had to have a wonderful adopted sister to come sit with the shelter,even tho she had a sick hubby to tend to herself.She came & stayed for almost 3 weeks.Without her,I'd been lost and the ferrets sure would have. However,she also drove for 5 hours,one way to be able to help me as no none on a local level was willing to do so.No body came & helped her do anything.She saw,did what I go thru on a daily basis. I do what I do for the love of the ferrets.Simple as that.I'm not out to win a popularity contest.I know all people will not agree nor even like one another.But if we all have the common love of the ferrets to bond us,then we can overcome the dislike & do what needs to be done to help ferrets. I get up at 4 a.m. most days.Do the meds/soup & clean cages of that rotation.Leave for work by 6 a.m.I have 2 rooms of ferrets & they get free roam in there.I have 17 cages to clean twice daily.Meds twice daily for most.I get home from work about 4 p.m. & do it again.And again at 9 p.m..Thelast of the rotations. This doesn't leave much time to try to do ebay,return calls,run errands, do shelter book keeping,ect.My office is a mess as I have no help.And I don't care.One day a fairy will blink & it'll be done.:) The ferrets come first as long as I'm able to do for them. So,yes,even a day of help is a blessing.Or to sponser a older ferret in need.Lord knows,we all have those. Go to your local shelter,help as you're able to do.The shelter op will be blessed to have you. -- Sandi Heaven Scent Ferret Rescue/Shelter a 501-3c no kill shelter http://fuzzyslave.tripod.com [Posted in FML issue 5106]