>It saddened me, disappointed me but did NOT surprise me to read most of the >posts answering the Anonymous Post about the unlicensed shelters. How >the Hell are you EVER going to get anyone in California to listen to a >word o f sense when people within their own "ferret community" respond >with attack s to a problem like that, and one of law! Julie, Ease up on that righteous indignation a little. No one responding to the Anonymous Poster suggested the law should be ignored. At least one response did suggest that the Anonymous Poster turn in the unlicensed shelter operator if they knew where the unlicensed shelter was located. There were no "attacks" against the Anonymous Poster at all. Yes, I did suggest the Anonymous Poster question the motivation of his/her dilemma, because the opening of his/her post was centered around the publicity garnered by the other shelter. It was a reasonable question, not an attack. It is always healthy for one to question their motives before taking action with serious implications. As for how one is to get anyone in California to listen to a word of sense -- that is done by speaking in a calm, rational, and well-informed manner. Ranting only serves to alienate listeners. One problem is that the Anonymous Poster admitted he/she doesn't know for a fact what the conditions in the supposedly unlicensed shelter(s) actually are. He/she based those conclusions on second-hand reports. Since the Anonymous Poster hasn't been in contact with the unlicensed shelter(s), he/she doesn't know whether the shelter operator(s) is/are aware that he/she/they should be licensed or what procedures to follow to get licensed. Most reasonable people would agree that it is a wise idea to know the facts before making allegations against another. >People couldn't even be bothered to suggest compromising on both sides: >turn them in and take the ferrets. Are you sure compromise is the word which you wanted? A compromise consists of both sides giving something in order to reach an accord or agreement. Your solution was for the unlicensed shelter to turn over all the ferrets. That is not a compromise -- that is surrender. Again, until the true facts are known, the demand that the unlicensed shelter surrender all the ferrets in their care in premeture. Once the facts are known, it may be necessary to seek that solution. But then again, it may turn out that the conditions in the shelter are not nearly so intolerable as described in second hand reports, and the shelter(s) in question are simply unaware of the need or procedures for licensing. Several compromises were offered in the suggestions that the Anonymous Poster offer the unlicensed shelters advice on how to get licensed, maintain high standards, and care for the ferrets properly. I hope the Anonymous Poster does the right thing and gets all the facts first in order to make an intelligent decision. But since you brought it up -- have you been turning in the people in California that you know of who own ferrets? They are breaking the law, and as you yourself said -- "The law is the law." Somehow, I doubt you have been turning in illegal ferret owners or "shelters" in California. So let's not take a hard stance with "The law is the law" argument. The bottom line is: Before making allegations against anyone else, even anonymously, a responsible person makes sure that all of the allegations are factual and accurate. There are at least two sides to every story, and it is a good idea to know the facts behind each before becoming indignant or making allegations. Scott [Posted in FML issue 2601]