i had a few responses to my initial post about ferret shelters needing people to adopt the ferrets in their care...how needful that was...but they were mostly from shelter moms... but what i saw mostly was a sloughing off of ADOPTION NEEDS in favor of more help, financially and volunteerwise...and education.... FOREVER HOMES...THAT IS THE MOST CRUCIAL NEED!!! Education is a long term goal..not an immediate respite...but yes, needed... always needed...but will not solve the IMMEDIATE problem! FINANCIAL help is imperative also..but with adoptions that need goes down with each one...the more adoptions..the less financial help needed... same with volunteers...the more adoptions..the less volunteers needed... there will always be a need for volunteers and financial help, don't get me wrong...since there will always be ferrets being turned in...but if they are adopted...THE CRUCIAL NEED...then the volunteers and the financail aid is not quite as DIRE! without the ferret community, every one that possibly can, adopting some of these kids...NO shelter will be able to stay afloat... then what happens to those kids? my husband keeps saying we can not afford anymore [financially and emotionally]...and i TRY to adhere to that...but when the NEED arises... we take that ferret in [with tommy's consent and approval!!!]...and we ALWAYS manage to stay afloat...there are rough patches...but we manage... i have no idea why so many more ferrets are being turned in and abandoned... blame it on the ferret mills...on un-education...whatever you want...but the FACT is....these shelters MUST adopt out these ferrets to be able to take in any more in need...and to be able to survive... continue working on education and laws...that will improve things down the road...but for NOW...THESE FERRETS MUST HAVE FOREVER HOMES!!!! kat -- Fuzzy Hugs & Whiskered Kisses from Kat the Happy Hooker [so named by BC] Main Page ... http://ferretlover97.terrabox.com/index2.html Happenings Page ... http://ferretlover97.terrabox.com/ May you always have: Love to Share Health to Spare And Friends that Care [Posted in FML issue 5337]