>From: Risa Di Vincenzo <[log in to unmask]> >We have all seen the help shelters need over the years. The large >rescues and individual heart breaking cases have continued. We've >witnesses personal crisis overtaking shelter operators also. Now we >see many shelters closing. What I'm wondering is if pehaps home >shelters are not possibly feasible for long term. > >Any thoughts or experiences anyone would like to respond with? Is this >something that can happen. Has it been tried? Is it in the works? Can >there be a united ferret effort to make this happen? OMG! In this day and time, when I see one of these post I want to scream. If there was any money in ferret rescue, the HSUS, ASPCA and Local Humane Shelters would be trying to close down every private ferret rescue in the Nation. Local Humane Societies and ASPCA's are Individually ran and operated by Local Boards that have National Affiliations of Name and Agenda only. They ALL rely on Local Funding from Local Businesses and Local Private Donations. The HSUS, Fund for Animals, AHA, AHLN, ASPCA, PETA, Voice for Animals, Antivivisection League and other National Organizations provide NO funding to any Local Shelter. Some Local shelters DO take in surrendered ferrets provided they are accompanied by a donation/fee. What happens to the ferret after that is a good question in most cases. SAFE has a working agreement where the local HS/ASPCA keeps the surrender fee but we get the ferret. This is an acceptable plan for us at present, but not for everyone I'm sure; and probably not forever for us either. Saving the ferret always comes first at SAFE. In response to your questions; 1. Do Local HS/ASPCA shelters have the money or the veterinary know-how to care for ferrets? The actual question should be, "Do they want to expend funds for ferrets?" The answer to both questions, regardless of how it's asked is, NO! The real money maker is puppies and kittens and that's where the real effort is expended. 2. Do they have any desire to help domestic ferrets? There is no money to be made in dealing with sick ferrets (or old dogs or cats), When your Annual Budget runs into the $500,000 to a Million Dollar bracket just for shelter Personnel Salaries and Perks, there is no money left over for the "little or no, money making animals". These Organizations call it, "putting the money where it will do the most good". The literal translation is, "spend money only where it will bring in more money". 3. Has a co-operative rescue effort been tried with other local shelters? Some local ferret rescue/shelters have working rescue plans with Municipal and Local shelters. Many of these plans are set up with agreements to take the ferrets when called; no paperwork, no fees, no questions. The ferret is the winner here, and that's what the mission is all about. 4. Can there be a united ferret effort to make this happen? Local ferret rescuers must accept the fact that a sick or surrendered ferret in your hands is better than a dead ferret in a local Municipal Shelter or HS/ASPCA Shelter dumpster. Locals work better with Locals! I'm certain these aren't the answers you wanted and I wish the real world was the "pretty picture" we all dream of, but the real world is not always pretty. Rescue/Sheltering "is not easy, and it's not for the queasy"! Make a choice to make a difference: Rescue. Dooks and Blessings, Rick White San Antonio area Ferret Enthusiasts (SAFE) P.O.Box 190042 San Antonio, TX 78220-7000 Web site: _www.saferrets.org_ (http://www.saferrets.org) [Posted in FML issue 5139]