We regret to inform you that we will not be having our annual ferret lovers' gathering, this year. It was never a fundraiser -- just an open-house style gathering, with lots of food for all our ferret friends, & friends-to-be. It was a great chance for all of us to put faces with the names we saw on list -- and many came quite a distance to be here! This year, we do not have the funds for a party. All the money will need to go to the furchildren in our care. As I said on another list, when someone comes to us with a with a seriously ill, or dying fertie "because I can't afford to take it to the vet" we have two choices. We can say "Gee, I'm sure sorry -- It looks like he's going to die"---or we can break out the surrender form, and our own personal charge card, & try to help the ferret. In the last four months, we took in Torrie (emergency surgery--saved), Farrah (emergency surgery--saved), Sam, emergency diagnostics to determine that he couldn't be helped--then euthanasia), Ashley (emergency surgery--saved), Stantz (emergency visit, bloodwork, Xrays-- saved), Susan (emergency vet visit, bloodwork, Xrays--saved), Gwen (supportive care) Slinky (supportive care), Marshmellow (supportive care--lost tonight), & Minksy2, (supportive care) Even with generous discounts from the vet, it cost my husband & me just under $2000. to do our best for these ferrets (and then there were meds!) We just purchased lupron for our 21 adrenal ferrets (OUCH!) Several of these little ones were surrendered "because I can't afford the surgery or cancer treatment" Two more 6 1/2 year olds will be coming this week. We are the only ferret facility in 79 miles. Most here would have been PTS if we hadn't taken them. (Many health & behavioral issues.) Second (and third!) topics--Giving Tree and sponsorship--Zoo's will not be on the Giving Tree again this year, because I am unable to choose which of our little furkids will get a Santa--and which ones won't... I will list their names for you, and if a name speaks to you, and you would like to send a little something to that ferret, and be its Santa, thank you very much. (You choose--I can't.) If you would like to sponsor one with a few dollars each month, or help power up the food account with April at Totally Ferret, that would be wonderful too. Expenses happen all year long--not just at the holidays! (It's kinda like adopting one without the mess! LOL) Many of ours are older, or terminal, so the commitment might not be for very long :( Names, not including our personal (Eddie), & 15 fostered at other locations: Gwen Princess Melmin Honey Bear (taken) Angel Ruckus Cinnamon Roy (taken) Princess Flash George Mac Comet Bradley Bongo (taken) Kodo Buddy Baby Girl Rossi Bear Bear Daisy Mae Cosette Felix Thelma Gary Vixen Torrie Louise Fresno Joey Desdemona (taken) Farrah Monet Hampshire Buddy Olivia (taken) Snickers Wackford Max Snicky Bacardi Callie Cosmo Grimly Syd Morrigan Slinky3 Cassie Hunter Noel Little Girl Slinky2 Susan Ashley Franklin Fiona Minksy2 Mary Lucy Bella Stantz Belix Miss Kitty Goon Buelah Bullitt Riley Ezra Ben Jerry Georgia Addie Thank you for partnering with us in the rescue, & lifetime care of these little ones. May you be richly blessed. Love, Zoo [Posted in FML 6501]