Jean, you are clearly in trouble. I don't think you'll be offended by my saying this as it seems clear you know it. I'm going to make some suggestions that I'm sure will rub some the wrong way, but it needs to be said, so, so be it. Jean, first and foremost, you need to stop taking in. You also need to start considering the idea that the freestanding shelter you dream of may never happen. If you can't get people to donate or volunteer now, as serious as your situation is, you surely can't expect to run that building based on donations and volunteers alone. You need to deal with what you *have* before even thinking anything more about what you *want to have*. To all shelter ops, is there nothing any of you can do to help? I know Jean has friends who shelter. I know many shelter ops are members of this list. Can't any of you take some of these kids from Jean? If each shelter took in just a few I'm sure it would help. Jean, if other shelters are willing and able, would this be acceptable to you? To everyone, don't let Ferret's Unlimited become another "shelter needing to be rescued" story. Jean has worked long and hard at sheltering, she's done more good for more ferrets than anyone I know of. Jean needs help. More importantly, the ferrets in Jeans care need help. So where's the help? Will it only come when these ferrets need rescuing from the rescuer? Seems to me that time has just about come. Jean, I honestly don't mean to offend, and hope that I haven't, but it's clear you are in over your head and your situation is out of control. Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done now, before the ferrets in your care begin suffering. Karen McCabe http://www.cinnamonsprite.net http://www.addictedtoferrets.net [Posted in FML 5473]