I wanted to personally reply to the two postings from the Fischer Zoo stating the fact that some of the ferrets were going to US homes. I think that it was wonderful that you had found homes for 14 of the ferrets. Why your offer was turned down, I don't know. Perhaps it was the medical bills that would accumulate, had her thinking that the ferrets in a normal home situation would be burdened by the 24hr care some may need. I dont know why, I was suprised to read that as much as you were to be turned down. I can understand and sympathize with your feelings of the shelter situation in the US. Yes, true many of the shelters are already at full capacity, and unable to take new fuzzies in. I read the FML too- and have read thier pleas for assistance. However, I being the one who is guilty of the crime of helping Randy out and also being the US shelter that you so emotionally denounced, felt it necessary to perhaps shed some light on my situation, and why I felt that I could help out. We are not at full capacity. I have had the blessed luck of finding excellent homes for all my adoptees, and currrently have NO shelter ferrets. Yes, imagine that- one shelter that actually has no ferrets for adoption! This is why I felt I could help. I have the room. I would have not made the offer if I truly felt I would not be able to successfully place these guys in homes. Does that clear me for the "stress" of them being shipped to Usa? Well, I assume you would or saw that by shipping it meant air. No, they are going to be picked up by me, by car. Imagine that, I must be nuts! But there it is. A nice warm car, a stayover for relaxation and finally home. I can't see any stress by having them loved on the way home to a house full of love and caring people. Yet, I know you had no way of knowing, so I am not faulting you.However, I must state that I must love these ferrets very much to be willing to drive so very far. As far as the issue you had brought up regarding pleas for assistance again I am blessed. Help comes to me without asking. Not so much as in money, but in offers of cages, food, etc. The money the shelter makes is primarily through hard work, creative marketing, and the willingness to put in more hours at work if I have to. So you have nor will ever read a plea for help from me. I am not stating or implying that I am better than anyone else, far from it. Many of the shelters are hard-working people like myself. Granted, there is good and bad, but as of yet I have only seen good. I feel that once you start your own shelter, you will be an asset to the ferrets. Finding homes is only half of it, caring day to day sick and rehablitating ferrets, fundraisers, and of course loving the babies is the other half. It is hard work, but rewarding. I feel that you should start your own shelter, and give you credit for doing so. The current system is just an ego booster. I guess if you call caring for a ferret while it is sick, feeding and watering by hand everyday, only to find out he was terminally ill and have him die in your arms ego boosting, then no thank you. If having PRIDE in what you have done with creating, maintaining and helping out ferrets is considered prideful- then I am guilty. I feel no shame in knowing I have placed ferrets in good homes, cared for the ill, and willing to go to extremes to help. I dont pretend or act as if I know what is good for every ferret- just the ones I care for. If I see a ferret in need at a pet store, then I know it is best if I take that ferret home. I am truly sorry you feel so angry at this whole thing.You want me to tell you that I won't go, but I can't, nor would I let you stop me. Your feelings are justified in your heart as they are in mine. I am just saddened that someone could and has made a decision on a shelter that they don't know. Too bad- but no loss there. Wouldn't be the first and surely won't be the last. Again, best wishes for your upcoming shelter. Jeanne- Northeast Ferret Foundation [Posted in FML issue 2176]