As a shelter "keeper of the fur", I welcome donations, but do not actively solicit them. I do feel that expiration dates are placed on things for a reason, and am not sure that I would want to use expired medications or foods for the fuzzies in my charge. That said, I think Roberta is on to something. There are many things that might not be *saleable* by a store that are still usable by shelters. Paper towels which have the plastic wrap ripped, bottles of Pedialyte which are dented (but not broken open), sweatshirts/baby blankets/etc. which are stained/ripped/otherwise damaged, bags of kitty litter which have ripped open and are now only 3/4 full, and the list goes on. These items are not usable to the store, and will only go on the trash anyhow, so it's no skin off their nose to donate them to shelters. Thanks Roberta!! Hope everyone is having a happy holiday season, and I wish you all peace, joy and happiness inthe coming year. -Anne PS- My Christmas "wish" is that in 1998, no ferret will be homeless, hungry, abused or without the love of a special human. Hug your fuzzies, and let them know how much they are loved. [Posted in FML issue 2166]