>All of them have quite a few ferrets in the shelter, high vet expenses >they are having difficulty meeting, and have been part of the FML Shelter >Update for a while. In case I wasn't clear enough when I posted yesterday, I'll clarify how we selected the shelters which received donations. I sent a message to all the shelters on my FML Shelter Update list (I think there are 51 on the list at the moment) asking them to tell me whether they were in need of help at this time. You see, many of them just post to the Update so that you know who they are, where they are, and what they are doing, so that you can find them if you want. I warned them to be honest ... not because I was afraid of being tricked into giving money to someone who didn't need it, either :) If you've been on this list for a while, you can guess the problem. "Well, I do have a large outstanding vet bill and some ferrets needing surgery, but I'm sure there are other people who need money more than I do, so please give the donation to them." And I was right. I got several of those. Anyway, of the shelters which responded, more than half said they were doing fine at the moment, or at least holding their own. The others usually sent specifics about what their needs are. We gave them the choice of a check to the vet, credit with Jeffers, or credit with The Ferret Store. Out of this group, we chose everyone who met the criteria I stated yesterday: quite a few ferrets in the shelter (not personal ferrets), high vet expenses they were having difficulty meeting, and being on the Update for a while. I hope you feel we have used your generous gifts wisely and well. We certainly try to. Judith White, Georgia Wood and Ela Heyn ------------------------------------------------------- Ask me how to save money while supporting ferret shelters. 1% of my monthly internet bill, 2% of my long distance and intrastate phone bill, and 1% of my calling card bill go to the FML Shelter Fund. And the rates are great!! We also offer ferret coloring books and a booklet for the grocery store coupons of your choice to support shelters. [Posted in FML issue 2324]