DEAR LIST READERS I have been in the rescue arena concerning ferrets since August of 1993. After founding a non profit, licensed agency / organization in 1995 and receiving training and certifications, overseeing the accountability , testifying as an expert witness for numerous protection laws of ferrets and other companion animals, and providing humane training nationwide I can say I have never been so infuriated, victimized and offended as I am tonight. Both as an individual and as a organizational representative. IF ANYONE SAYS THEY ARE CONTACTING YOU FOR ADOPTION - OR ANY OTHER REASON AND HAVE BEEN REFERRED OR ARE CONTACTING YOU AT MY SUGGESTION , REFERRAL, ETC,- and you have not heard it from me FIRST-- please feel free to validate it with me BEFORE you make any decisions. There are just things that you DO NOT DO. FIRST AND FOREMOST YOU DO NOT USE SOMEONE's NAME WITHOUT PERMISSION. APPARENTLY there is ONE VA RESCUE Organization that thinks otherwise. A VOLUNTEER of this agency USED MY NAME AS A CONTACT and REFERRAL for a PROPOSED KIT ADOPTION. This volunteer claimed to have received this referral / recommendation from me on a chat line. I CHALLENGE YOU TO PRODUCE THAT! I Have not been on any chat lines for many years.... and this is WHY! The MOST INFURIATING PART IS THIS ROUSE of buying a kit (there are none by the way) was at the URGENCE of a LONG ESTABLISHED FERRET ASSOCIATION, need we name names. I am told by the operator of the VA rescue through email correspondence, the founder of the ferret association circulated emails targeting this particular person in the ferret community and goaded some action to be taken. MY EMPLOYMENT BEFORE FERRETS was in Law Enforcement I am telling you all concerned in this action, you have tread on some very very shaky ground. I suppose this will play out over a period of time, and there are specific reasons why I cannot name names at this time, but anyone who has heard my name used for animal welfare reasons and you have not been notified in advance from me.via email or in letter, please let me know about the circumstances. If you have not received a email or written communication on my letterhead personal or via the non profit, then it may not have been a true representation. Anyone who has worked with me the past 15 years in the ferret community will know that I ALWAYS validate a referral for adoption, surrender, etc. ALL our files are up to date on all animal welfare actions. I do not tolerate this type of vigilante tactic. This was attempted to infringe on any person's right to privacy. THERE ARE ABSOLUTE RULES to investigation and one of them is NOT BASED ON SUPPOSITION. YOU NEED TO HAVE EVIDENCE OF A CRIME. IF THERE IS EVIDENCE THEN A SEARCH WARRANT IS ISSUED. If you are a rescuer associated with this incident, I suggest you get some solid investigative training before you see lawsuits that cold ruin your rescue career. I will be forwarding the email communications I received associated to this action upon request to authorities involved in this action. I am so dis heartened that there are folks in the community that will practice this kind of behavior instead of focusing on working to better the lives of the ferrets in their care. In closing, I again request anyone to forward information where my name was used as a referral, reference or otherwise. Sincerely, Alicia , for the many faces of www.ferretwise.org [Posted in FML 6398]