Hello Everyone, I just wanted to respond to some of the things Sheena wrote in her post responding to my post (re:shelters). First and foremost I would like to say that I completely respect Sheena's position and understand why she feels the way she does. Her post pointed out some things I did not know and reminded me of how very grateful we should all be to those who selflessly give so much of themselves. I just wanted to point out some different ways to look at a few minor things she mentioned. Sheena wrote: "It bothers me to hear people say they couldn't afford the price of a kit in the pet store, so they want to adopt instead. We prefer to adopt to people who want to help a needy ferret." I understand your preference, but I hope you realize that regardless of the REASON they want a rescue rather than a kit, it STILL helps that needy ferret. (As long as they are willing to do what it takes to properly care for the ferret once it is theirs, i.e. your reference to "many of our friends might have trouble affording the adoption fee, but would sell their stereo to fix their ill ferret"). In the end it is the ferrets well-being that is most important and the more shelter ferrets we get off to good homes the better, whatever way that is accomplished,it is a good thing. Sheena also wrote: "I know it's a matter of perception, but when I see my account book sitting open and $500.00 worth of vet bills waiting to be paid, I get awfully annoyed with people who say they think $95.00 is too much to pay to adopt a ferret." I personally do not think $95 is too much for an adoption fee, but to compare other people's willingness to sacrifice financially for ferrets to yours is not really fair. You don't know what their financial situation is, what their kid's or other pet's medical bills are (plus if they properly care for their new ferret they will also soon have vet bills accruing); moreover, you VOLUNTARILY are a person who runs a shelter. This means you are OBVIOUSLY more willing to sacrifice your time, money and effort for the well-being of ferrets. You should be applauded for your kind heartedness, generosity, and unbelievable stamina; however, I am sure you realize not everyone is cut out to do what you do, nor have they ever volunteered to do so. If they help out by giving just one ferret a good home, they shouldn't be looked down on because they didn't do and/or spend more. What they did was still a good thing. This is not to take away at all from what you do. I personally think you are an inspiration, but not everyone has the same priorities in life. Lastly, Sheena wrote: " . . just because *they* have weekends free and want to come "inspect" the shelter (as one woman, who wasn't even planning to adopt told me on the phone) or make a social call, we operators rarely have any free time. " I completely understand that many shelter operators wouldn't have any free time and that someone who wanted to "inspect" rather than take home a ferret wouldn't and shouldn't be a first priority. However, perhaps the person who called is just doing her best to make sure there weren't ferrets living in bad conditions anywhere (and I'm sure there must be some "shelters" out there run by people who aren't really experienced enough, but out of their kindheartedness and unfortunate ignorance try to run a shelter anyway - just like people who try to breed, but don't do enough research first). Or maybe that person was thinking of starting her own shelter and was doing a bit of preliminary research. She may not have wanted to disclose that information since some shelters are competitive and she may have been afraid you wouldn't let her see yours. Of course, the woman could have just been curious as to what shelters look like too. My point is that perhaps there are other less annoying reasons why people do and say what they do,and I personally like to try and think of them rather than get angry at someone perhaps inappropriately. Beside it lets me live with less tsuris (sp?) in my life. :). Love and dooks to all, Rebecca, J&M [Posted in FML issue 1809]