I would like to thank Maren Doshier, from Raisins From Heaven Ferret Rescue & Sanctuary in Hernando, MS, for her wonderful and supportive post about taking in ferrets from "Kill Shelters" whenever those dreaded calls come. We hate those calls. When they come we know we are looking at, possibly, upper respiratory infections, coccidia, H1N1, not to mention the usual...older, adrenal, inslunoma, dehydration, starvation, etc.... along with more vet bills. But, we are a Ferret Rescue & Shelter, we can not say "NO" to a "kill shelter". Now, Robin, I do not know you personally, only by reputation, which until now, had been very good. I can't believe that you had the unmitigated gaul to to post, on the FML, to Marlene " I wish you had looked before you took a leap off that cliff called ignorance". Marlene's post was in NO WAY ignorant nor did she leap off any cliff. She did not mention any names or names of any Shelters. I'm so happy to see that you think so much of yourself that you knew the post was meant for you. Please, let me enlighten you. You are not that important. Her post was meant for all Shelters and Rescues who have turned down "Kill Shelters". However, now that you have admitted that you are just a few miles away from the Arlington ferrets, knowing it is a Kill Shelter, and that you told them NO (btw, you weren't the only one), I'd like to know why you couldn't have done something? Anything? Those two ferrets were sitting in this "kill shelter", one already diagnosed with inslunoma, drooling, and NOT getting any medication (Pred.) You are a few miles away. We are two and a half hours away. While we were trying to arrange transport, to get them in here as soon as possible, you were just sitting there. Unbelievable. In my opinion you have no right to call yourself a rescue. I understand your medical ailments. I have my own. I won't list them here as I don't want them construed as excuses, but, I can assure you they are more than just needing surgery on both writs and a thumb. It doesn't stop me from trying to help. You could have told Arlington that you'd make a few calls for them or taken the ferrets in until you could get in touch with us (so they could be on meds already). It was bad enough that we had to get ferrets from Arlington in December (that were in horrible shape) because Shelters in their area said NO, but, now we had to do it once AGAIN. The SAME Kill Shelter. Then, after all of this, you want to ask people for money for your vet bills? What planet are you living on????? I am just so angry. Do you want to know what our Vet bills are? Currently, we owe over $1,800.00. We don't ask for money. We know people are having a financially hard time. We have sick ferrets as well. I'm sure every Shelter out there does. We only have one bonded pair that is available for adoption, so, we have no income coming in either. I, truly, don't see your point, nor do I think you have a leg to stand on, for leaving those ferrets in that shelter. My apologies to everyone else who is reading this. I felt I had to vent and set some things straight. Thank you to all of you who sent personal e-mails and for the phone calls to Marlene showing your support for what she had to say. Proudly, I am, Paige Collier Richmond Ferret Rescue League Director of Adoptions and Rehabilitation (804) 265-8813 [Posted in FML 6619]