I think most of us that have been on the list awhile know the obvious things that can help shelters: provide foster, $ and donations of food, litter, volunteer to help clean, play etc. For those that can't do these things because of home situations, distance etc. here are a couple of quick ideas that can help shelters in a large way. Shelters often run into problems because there are more ferrets being given up than adopters out there so.....I feel the biggest way to help is to attack the "front end" of the problem as it were. (1) Help find homes! Network network network (2) Offer ferret "educational" services. (Very important!) To do this: Most of us have computers or we wouldn't be reading this. Make a nice little sign (using power point if you have MS Office) offering ferret FAQ's, phone help and decision making about whether "Are ferrets are a pet for you?" Include a short notice about ferret shelters having ferrets available. If the shelters near you are fairly distant, do home screening and volunteer to help transport to good homes. (Most people simply don't know about ferret shelters!) Put them up on all bulletin boards at vet offices (pet stores that sell ferrets sometimes will have a bulltin board they'll let you use for this, the ones in my area WON'T) also try grocery stores and of course your local Humane Society Shelter. Print out a strip of your phone number to cut and staple to the bottom. Keep some FAQ's printed out available to mail. Heck, ask the vet staff if they'll keep some on hand to pass out. (Do this at all vets in town not just your own) Also maybe Quality Farm and Fleet/Tractor Supply Co. bulletin boards. (They sell a lot of feed/stock equip) Call other independent animal welfare groups and ask if you can write or submit an article for ferrets in their newsletter. (Vet staff often know about these groups). Call the girl/boy scouts, campfire girls and other organizations with youth programs (churches, sports etc.) and see if they would like you to give a presentation on responsible pet ownership with an emphasis on ferrets as an example. Maybe even try local dog clubs and see if there interested from a helping other species veiwpoint (people who love one type of animal often love others). Don't be scared - chances are you won't be overwhelmed with calls but given some time this may help make a difference. Get some other ferret friends to help if you can. Some turn in's might be averted if some of these people had more of a support group to help them figure out how to keep their ferrets. And hopefully you'll get some people to think about whether they should get a ferret in the first place. Write the ASPCA, American Humane Society to please include articles about ferrets in their newsletters - tell them you'll help with the infom or maybe just include a FAQ with the letter (we wouldn't want them spreading bad info!:) I can forward scanned pictures of my ferrets for use on the poster and I'm sure we'll all be willing to help with articles for newsletters and presentations. Mary, Boris, Giesela and Booker the dog [Posted in FML issue 2524]