I find it disconcerting that some people felt it necessary to post negative remarks about the quantities of ferrets being listed on the giving tree. I don't consider my ferret home a "shelter" per se; but every last ferret I have has been a rescue or regime from one situation or another. I was up to 12 at once, and considering like most shelters the ferrets showing up on their doorsteps have already passed the prime of their short lives, so now I'm down to 8 in house. I have friends that do run actual named shelters and it amazes me they do so under similar budget constraints as my own. They offer shelter to several dozens of ferrets at each shelter; facing daily what ferrants with a or pair do but multiplied twenty fold! The poop scooping, bedding cleaning, the feeding, dishes, vet trips, cage cleaning and this doesn't begin to cover the time spent transporting and where do they manage to find time to work, take care of their own homes, or even families? I applaud these people able to do more than I can. why shouldn't they en able to list up to 20 ferrets on the tree? For gosh sakes if they've listed that many think of the ones they have to care for that didn't get listed! If some people take issue with the quantities of ferrets listed well then simply pass by the giving tree posts and move on. But don't berate those who participate in giving every day to many more than 20 ferrets. The giving tree is something that happens once a year. Large shelters give every day of each year! Don't begrudge them their chance to offer a smidgeon extra on behalf of others able to share; and don't attempt to make them feel guilty for asking for that smidgeon extra! Regards, Kim [Posted in FML 7222]