This is an excellent way to reach youngsters and their parents. We did our first library presentation last year, in July, 2005! We have a wonderful kids program here at the Kirkland library, every summer. Each week, there is a guest speaker to educate the children on a different topic. WE were invited to come talk about ferrets! Some of the parents went to the librarian and discussed their concern about Zoo`s Ferret Sanctuary coming to educate the kids on ferrets. They were worried it might be a sales pitch, or an attempt to convince their children what a great pet a ferret would be. They didn`t want their kids asking for, or coming home with a ferret!!! Judy (the librarian) laughed, and said "Oh no!!! Cathy Strobach does her best to talk people OUT of getting a ferret!! She will talk about how much WORK it is!! She will invite them to come visit her sanctuary & volunteer to clean LITTER boxes!!" She invited the parents to attend, as well. Eighteen kids, and many of their parents came to our presentation.They drank in the facts we shared---everything from the dangers of ingesting cute little latex toys, to proper diet, to how to tell if it`s a boy or girl--and how old it may be. We talked about how overbathing can make ferret odor worse!! There were many facts crammed into that one hour--and lots of laughter---but then I made a couple of them cry... Something two parents came up & thanked me for, later. I asked the kids how they would feel if one day they were driving down the road with their mom, and she said "Know WHAT?? I`m TIRED of cooking your meals. I`m TIRED of doing your laundry. (etc etc.) "I think I`ll just pull over & kick you out of the CAR!!!!!" We discussed the words "commitment" & "responsibility." I told them that pets teach us some of life`s most important lessons---whether it is a dog, or a cat, or a ferret. That they should research ANY prospective pet carefully---then love their pet for life. (You don`t dump someone, or something, just because you`re tired of it.) Marjorie ferret was kissing my cheek, as I was talking. I then shared with the audience that she had been found in an outdoor toilet--and brought to us.....I showed pictures of some of our terminal babies, dumped just because they were old, or sick. We talked about hospicing. After more discussion on commitment & responsibility, all were given a book about ferrets, & were allowed to pet Marjorie & ask questions. All were invited to come visit the sanctuary. Maybe something we said will save a little life someday--or make a positive difference, somehow. We can only hope..... Love, Zoo [Posted in FML issue 5321]