I don't know where to begin, with the part says "have you lost your mind?" or the part that says "do you just think we're all idiots?"!! First of all, a "re-surrender" means that either somebody got in over their heads because circumstances changed really drastically or somebody allowed a large number of ferrets go to some one without checking them out ahead of time. Since you won't disclose any info, I have to guess the latter. In either case, it appears that the results are that where others have vetted, spayed/neutered/vaccinated/ socialized and found adoptive homes for hundreds of ferrets - these have been sitting around for at least a couple months with possibly very little done with them. Since you're asking for support and hands-on help for a 2nd time for the same ferrets, I feel we're entitled to further explanation as to how this came to happen. Secondly, I don't know what your experience has been in the past with accounting for expenses and funds used - but the rattling off of some things that money was spent on doesn't cut it. This rescue/surrender/buy-out, whatever you want to call it, was probably the largest to date in the US. It needs to be the model for future large scale rescues to 1) show that it is possible and 2) give donors and volunteers the confidence that their money and time are being maximized to the fullest potential. If you want to ensure that people say "screw this" and never donate to something like this again, then just throw out some numbers and a list of things that cost money and expect that to suffice. As you know, a good number of the people who are active in volunteering and donating within the ferret community talk amongst themselves and many of them have talked on this one. The problem is that different people are getting different stories and different numbers. You might have negotiated the surrender of and been the landing zone for these ferrets, but in addition to your taking on the responsibility of them as they were physically at your site, you took on a responsibility to every person who donated time, money, food, bedding, cages, supplies, etc. You were the steward of their time and money and it was your responsibility to ensure that the ferrets in your care, the volunteers on your property and the dollars under your control were handled responsbily and that this can be accounted for. $33,000?? I simply don't believe it and as a donor, a volunteer, and a member of a shelter who received of many of these ferrets who did not get any support from you financially, I am calling for an accounting of the funds spent. Receipts.....not generalities. You say food for workers, sounds reasonable, but you've told people that the meals for volunteers were all donated. Which was it? Food - I am certain I remember you reporting that large amounts of food - at least a pallet had been donated by one of the manufacturers and know of a shelter group from Canada who donated $500 in food. Myabe it took much more than that, I don't know.......show me. We were told early on that you were being reimbursed by the large ferret organizations for the $7-9K you paid to McKay's feed vendor (my apologies, I don't remember the amount but it was in that ballpark). Hired help? I wonder if people who donated intended to pay for hired help? You have claimed that $10K from PetSmart went to medical........who got that money and how was that determined? Certainly there would have been medical expenses at your site - but not $10K worth. I know for sure the shelter in my state has paid a minimum of $100 per ferret on spay/neuter and vaccines. In addition, they had dental and other medical work done on many with critical needs. They rented vehicles twice, they took a van load of food, litter, used bedding, new bedding, extra cages, carriers, litter pans, water bottle, laundry detergent, etc. to your house, they fed & housed dozens of these ferrets and have not seen a dime from funds donated towards the rescue. And by the way, they (the several people from our local shelter who have helped in different ways) have also never seen or heard a simple "Thank You", whether they volunteered in the sweltering heat at your site, took ferrets, donated supplies or money. You're 501(c) 3.... what good does that do us when our donation is not even acknowledged, how do people file that with the IRS? Bottom Line - There needs to be an accounting of your expenses - and I would suggest you treat it like I have to my business expense reports - if you don't have a receipt, don't expect to be reimbursed. Then I'd see what percentage of donations went to ferrets directly in your care -vs- the many shelters who came and got ferrets, then see were you stand -vs- them. THEN I'd figure out a way to get some funds to the whose who received nothing and after that, we'll get back to ya on those 65 that you got back for whatever reason. The feeling of "I've been had" comes to mind. [FY] [Posted in FML 5809]