The scenario described by, the anonymous poster, sounds like the environment I worked in when I worked for the local humane society for dogs and cats. With every word I could understand exactly what you are saying. When I worked at the humane society I would say "this is no place for an animal". First of all, the day starts with arriving, a quick hello to all the animals and start cleaning, cleaning, cleaning before the public arrived. Then food and water changed, blankets changed. No time to work with that dog or cat that was scared. No time for being with the animals. Those who need that extra attention, or any attention for that matter, forget it. At my lunch time I would sit in the kennels on the floor with the dogs just to give them "some" attention. By no means did I mention all the work that is involved, i.e. cleaning up a tossed litter box, shots, laundry, showing people around etc. but you get the picture. The liability insurance alone would be astronomical as we know some ferrets like to taste those fingers that come into their cages or the noses that everyone seems to like to snuggle with. Supervision would have to take place with each and every person who came to visit. What if a big crowd comes from a school with lots of little fingers who don't always do the right things.?? When I worked at the humane society the cages all had signed not to let the dogs lick your fingers, people did it anyway. We are housing over 50 ferrets in our sanctuary, which is our home, and it is not always easy. It is, a 24/7 job. Some of the ferrets that need extra attention, like biters, will sometimes go to one on one foster homes. I can still clean the ferret room, give them all a nice time out for play and take care of my home, brush my dogs, horses etc. I know which ferrets get along and can have playtime together and which ones are loners. If I had to leave my home to go to a building to be with the ferrets they would not get the same amount of attention or time. The building would become the thing getting attention to keep it up. Much needed funds would go to the electric bill, salaries and things. If someone is sick or on his/her last few hours, at least here I can hold them and sit and watch my favorite nighttime show, or carry them around with me as I do a few chores and into the night. That way they are not alone in the end. Ferrets are a different kind of animal and I am not sure either if a "free standing shelter" would work. I think the stress of different people taking care of them, as those places don't always have the same employees (volunteers) for long, would not be positive. It was also a good point that if you are no longer involved, would someone else keep it as clean as you, screen adopters like you, care for them like you?? I am not saying it is something that cannot happen, to have a building, but it would have to be a whole new concept and I am not sure what that is yet. If someone donated the amount of money that was mentioned in the email about the shelter I would use it to pay our vet bills, redo our ferret room, buy new cages and have lots of money left for any emergency. Fran C. Freedman, President & Co-Founder Morning Starr Animal Sanctuary "A New Beginning..." An all volunteer organization www.morningstarr.org You may contact us at: 928-821-2420 or email: [log in to unmask] or mail: P.O. Box 1363, Cornville, AZ 86325 [Posted in FML issue 5338]