The following are additional facts that we have uncovered when audit- ing the shelter records after Ms. Van Dahm's departure. 1. Although it is expressly against the law to own ferrets in "ferret free zones" (such as Michigan) we have documentation in Ms. Van Dahm's own handwriting that she returned 5 ferrets to their owners in Michigan after they had been removed from that state and transported to our shelter. We also found that she had adopted two other ferrets to persons in Michigan. This is not on- ly illegal, but a violation of the trust given the GCFA by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources when they turn over ferrets to our shelter for adoption outside of Michigan because they had to be removed from their state. Whether we believe in the fairness of the law, it is not our decision to make to break it. 2. We have found incoming give-up forms on over 50 ferrets that came into the shelter that have no documentation as to their disposition (i.e. euthan- asia, adoption, foster home, given away, etc.) This number does not include several ferrets that were known to be adopted by other GCFA members without adoption forms being filled out or filed. It is the Shelter Director's duty to see that all incoming and outgoing animals are properly documented. Even if Ms. Van Dahm adopted all these animals herself, the proper adoption docu- mentation should have been filed. Since 4/93, activities of all incoming and outgoing ferrets have been properly documented regardless of their disposi- tion. In conclusion, we would ask that Ms. Van Dahm stop her campaign of gossip and untruths against the GCFA, the shelter and the Board of Directors. Her statements cause damage to all of the membership by preventing people from seeking adoptions at the shelter because of mistrust, by preventing people from participating in the GCFA and GCFA functions that raise money for ferret welfare, and by attempting to make a mockery of us as a club. When she attempts to tarnish the reputation of the club she ultimately tarnishes the reputation of each and every member. Ms. Van Dahm may have had personal dif- ferences with members of the club, but that is not a reason for her to twist the truth to cause damage to the good work done by so many. It is Ms. Van Dahm's choice whether or not she is a member of a club or whether she even wants to start her own shelter. But it is not fair for her to discredit the GCFA in an apparent attempt to increase her own business. Ms. Van Dahm, we ask that you concentrate on fair business principles and cease and desist the slanderous comments mad against the GCFA and the good people therein. In all sincerity, Norm Stilson, President James Tomasi, Vice President Janice Miller, Secretary Judy Martin, Treasurer Susan Brown D.V.M., Director Mary Jane Frank, Director Arnieta Kurtz, Director Roger McMillian, Director Nicki Prunkl, Director ============================================= As an addendum to the previous open letter, I would like to report that Ms. Van Dahm has recently called the corporate offices of PetCare Superstores (where I work) and requested that they remove all GCFA related literature from their stores. Ms. Van Dahm stated that if this was not done, she would boycott and picket PetCare stores. A copy of this article went to PetCare corporate offices and they had been kept appraised of the situation... A cease and desist order against Ms. Van Dahm is being strongly contem- plated by the GCFA Board of Directors if she persists in this unprofessional and unethical behavior. Rog [Posted in FML issue 0556]