For Dawn and her fuzzies You wrote a very nice letter to FML that imparted a great deal of information. Thank you for sharing your story, your observations, and asking us for advice and help. A number of people on FML apparently believe that one should have as many ferrets as are desired without concern for finances. I sincerely hope that those people and others of us will help you by offering advice, telling you of a good home, and perhaps offering financial support. I personally would have found an association that accepted ferrets. Most associations around here don't even know what a ferret is. Does anyone live in Minnesota that could offer an alternative to housing that would be reasonable? I will be at Mall of America this weekend. Are you nearby? What are the ferrets sexes, ages, colors, health, and shot info? What do they eat? Do they have a carrier? Do you have their vet papers and rabies tags? I certainly agree with you that the shelters seem to be accumulating unGodly numbers of sick ferrets that need to be in a permanent hospital type setting. But I do not think that you can ask a shelter operator who is a nurturing care giver to kill sick babies for you--or anyone else. I think that we need to screen more carefully when we adopt out ferrets. I know we need to get them out of the shelter to make room for others. But you condemn them to a life of horror when they are sold like slaves to people who have no resources or who come in drunk and smoking. Or selling them to a husband who does not bring in his wife?? Not making sure the client realizes the potential costs?? Selling to college students at the dorms?? I think we need to stop promoting these living intelligent beings as though they are disposable "items." Sorry if I sound emotional. GCFA has 50 sick ferrets no one will help. FAIR has OVER 50 sick ferrets. Alicia wrote that she also has this many. And now Dawn writes that the shelter operator there is overburdened with expense, medications, syringe feedings, surgeries: sick bored lonely babies dumped and dying unloved--alone. Just seems like there is more that we should be trying to do. Your letter really hit me Dawn. I hope that FML can help you. Lisette [Posted in FML issue 2770]