From The National Ferret Rescue site http://nationalferretrescue.org/ Dateline October 30, 2009 - The "Spooktacular 80" The "Spooktacular 80" Rescue in Michigan. Last weekend, Deb's Ferret Rescue took in 82 ferrets from another Michigan rescue after that rescue had to close down due to severe health issues of the shelter owner, who is in critical care right now. She's recovering, but very slowly. Deb and her husband stepped right in and collected all 82 and brought them back to their home/shelter. This puts an incredible burden on the Fitzgeralds as they now have 127 ferrets in their shelter. Help is desperately needed by them. They can use donations for litter (wood stove pellets) via Walmart cards, donations for food (Totally Ferret - you can call April at TF at 1-877-545-5462 to put money on their shelter account, which gives you the shelter pricing for kibble) or Zupreme. They are okay on bedding, cages, water bottles and the like, as they received all of that with the incoming ferrets. They could also really use some volunteer help. If you're in the Michigan area and can spare a few hours, the Fitzgeralds would really appreciate it. They are tired!!! The holidays are almost upon us - why not throw a little good will the Fitzgerald's way and spend an afternoon helping them take care of all those kids. Donations for vet care would also be appreciated. They have lots of vaccinations to get done and some other vet care. You can send donations to them via SOS, which makes your donation tax deductible: http://www.supportourshelters.org/SOS1.html Just put on your donation that it's for Deb's Ferret Rescue. We also need places for some of the 82 to go. Other shelters (even several states away!), individuals - anyone who can take some kids. I know this is a very hard request, as the 2009 dumping season has been hard on everyone. The economy is in the toilet and that is raising everyone's numbers. But if we want to see shelters taking on this sort of task, we really need to stick together and work for the greater good of the ferrets. When shelters feel like nobody has their backs, they'll stop taking on these large rescues just for survival reasons. And that means ferrets going to county and state shelters - or worse. I won't go into worse, we all know what that means. The cat and dog people see that sort of thing every day. We are all human and something could happen to any shelter operator - anywhere. We need to stick together to make sure the kids in their care get to a safe haven and to assist those brave folks that step up and take them in. Please help the Fitzgerald's get through this, whether it be adopting, sending a donation or volunteering - every single bit helps. The Friends of Ferret Shelters is having their next raffle for the Fitzgeralds. They have some great prizes, so stay tuned, it should start in the next ten days or so: http://shelterfriends.blogspot.com/ Thank you so much for caring about the furkids everywhere..... Lisa Oestereich, Mike Wilson, Cindy Scheidt, National Ferret Rescue. More details including a snail mail address and vet information are coming shortly. [Posted in FML 6512]