Yes, I've noticed this, and I think it's incredibly rude. Most of the shelters I've donated to have been very gracious about responding, so I guess I've had better luck than you have. But there are a few who won't be hearing from me again. What's worse, some people even seem to feel that donars should be thanking THEM for the right to donate. At Christmas, when a few posters commented that they hadn't heard from the shelters to whom they took the time to donate items, there was at least one poster who came out and said something to the effect that the Santas are just doing it for the good feeling anyway, so they should stop whining and feel grateful to the shelters for taking their stuff whether the shelter operators (who had enough time to write up a cute message before they got their packages, who find time to post sad stories year-round) got around to acknowledging it or not. I sent out twenty packages and got really sweet responses from most of the recipients. Just as a practical matter, you can bet I want to send future goodies where I know they're doing the most good. And how do I know where they're doing good if people don't tell me? I would still donate (money, supplies, valuable objects to sell) to those rude shelters-- for the sake of the ferrets--if there weren't other shelters out there who are also helping ferrets, and who let me know that I'm actually doing good--without me having to hunt them down and ask if they got it. I do understand when people don't acknowledge gifts right away--shelters are hectic places, and paypal doesn't always send notice right away. A gift may not be noticed until the monthly statement. But a shelter that never acknowledges gifts obvoiusly doesn't need them, and therefore won't get them. Not from me. It makes me especially sad that you needed to post anonymously. I'm just a ferret lover, and I expect to be pounded (or given the silent treatment) if I say something like what you did. This is a small town, after all. But I would have hoped that you, as a shelter operator, would somehow be immune to all that. I'm so sorry, and I hope you don't give up. I'll post soon, letting you know at least some of the shelters that have been given support to their supporters. [RN] [Posted in FML issue 5196]