Are we not the same people who throw a fit if a breed/shelter/owner gets overwhelmed and the ferrets go neglected?? Are we not the same people who say things like "Why didn't they ask for help sooner? Wake up people!!! THAT is exactly what Mia was doing!! She was smart enough to look ahead and realize she would become overwhelmed and she had the courage to admit it, make an obviously difficult decision in the ferrets best interest, and had the guts to ask for help!! And she is chastised for this?? The next time a situation arises where *a shelter was found to have 100 ferrets living in flith and underfed* not a single one of you who attacked Mia better say a word. For all those who wonder "why didn't they ask for help before they got overwhelmed?"... now you now why!! I do not know Mia personally, and I guess I missed her origional post, however... her post a couple days ago caused me disbelief, shock, disgust and I cried for her. Although I do know how cruel some people can be, this was a new level that shocked me to the core. Guess what folks?? Due to my own medical condition, the numbers of rescues coming in, number of sick and special needs rescues, family issues... etc.. I have recently decided to scale down my own breeding and to cut back on numbers a bit. I have a couple ferrets I will be *retiring* earlier than planned and adopting out to loving homes. This was an agonizing choice for me, I love each and every one deeply, and planned on keeping all for life, but I was forced to choose. My other option was to stop taking in rescues and I can't do that. I have thought about stopping the shelter a few times, and every time I end up getting a call about another unwanted, abused, neglected or sick ferrets and I realize I can't stop! I can't just leave them out there. So instead I chose to lower my numbers of personal ferrets and how many kits are born. So I assume I am going to get flamed and nasty emails too huh?? Perhaps you would like to tell me to just *get over* my own medical problems and disibility? Maybe you want to tell me I should get a divorce and abandon my children so I have more time to devote to ferrets? OH WAIT, NO... I guess maybe you are going to tell me I should murder my children so I can have more time right?? Thats really not much different than what some people suggested Mia do..... To Mia, please know not all (and hopefully darn few) ferret people are reflected in the comments you recieved. I for one, understand why such a decision has to be made, and the agony you go through to arrive at that decision. You have my support and my best wishes thar your ferrets find the good, loving homes they deserve and for you and your family to have much happiness. Susan Malone Ferrets Unlimited Rescue Of Tulsa Fanciful Ferret By Pegasus [Posted in FML issue 2875]