A special thank you to those who frequent my eBay auctions. Thank You so much for your support. A thank you goes out to Mr. & Mrs. Ochs who has donated the web domain for www.craftyferret.com and to Heather who has done a wonderful job on this website and donates her time to this task. Thank You to the MacFadden's and the Lowe's for their constant support. Thank You to all who have sponsored an animal & to the Soule's for the support and wonderful Christmas packages every year. Without all of you mentioned above, this rescue would not be in the works. These animals would have no place to go, many would have been put down. So, from me and all of the animals here, THANK YOU ALL.

A little about me:
I'm 51 years old, disabled and love animals. When I first came here, I didn't have plans of being broke, but certain circumstances I had no control over has caused me to become a struggling human being with a goal & determination of saving & caring for animals and trying to find them loving homes, with money not even in the picture. I try to charge a very low adoption fee, just to cover spaying or neutering, my main goal is to find the animals a loving home.

About the shelter:
I live in Okeechobee, Florida on 5 acres of land, 20 miles outside of town. I moved here in April of 1997. I live in a double wide mobile home, the original plan was to build a house here, (I'm scared to death of hurricanes and tornado's). I have to move all the animals out every time we are threatened with a hurricane. What a job that is!!! I was also hit by a tornado 3 years ago, but due to an incompetent attorney, those plans for a house went down the drain. I also had planned on paying the place off so I would never have to fear losing it. When that unfortunate situation happened I already had started the shelter and had many animals, so all I could do was struggle to survive, keep my place and care for these animals. That's when I began selling on eBay. I had to find something to help bring in money to keep caring for the animals. I have met so many wonderful people from eBay. The amount of animals here is constantly changing. Right now there are 34 ferrets, 46 cats, and 6 dogs. I struggle to feed them and myself, but I'm not concerned too much about myself. I run the shelter on a very low income, $500 a month. The remainder of funds has to come from eBay auctions, the local flea market I sell at, and donations. Summer is a very slow time of year when sales are down at both the flea market and eBay. Bills here are $503 mortgage payment, approx. $250-$350 electric bills (until I get some needed repairs done), $250 flea market space, $50 phone bill, $13 internet bill, food and litter bills vary-about $400 a month, vet bills vary. Right now I have a $145 unpaid vet bill, with many animals needing to go in for spaying and neutering. So this gives you a bit of an idea of how much money over my income of $500 a month I need to raise each month. It's hard, no doubt about it, but I still love doing this and I love these animals, I could not sleep at night knowing an animal was put down because I didn't help. Some of the stories behind these animals are very sad. I cannot believe how some people treat animals.

I have many goals here. The first is to keep from losing this place because there is no place for these animals to go if I have to move. I have already checked with shelters in the surrounding area and none can take any animals. All are full to capacity themselves.

I eventually want to build kennels and runs for the dogs, a cattery for the cats and more space for the ferrets so I can eliminate the cages all together. I do all of this alone with no volunteers to help. The less work on me will give me more time for the animals. I am a non-profit Corp. If anyone can donate any time or materials for any of these goals, I would Love you forever and the animals would be very happy.

The shelter is always in need of Hills Science Diet A/D, Gerber's Chicken Baby food/2nd stage, laundry detergent, paper towels, littler, cat, dog, & ferret food. Hammocks, blankets, advantage flea control for cats and dogs (also used for ferrets) and of course monetary donations. I know some of you are uneasy about donating money so any other items are appreciated just as much. Receipts will be sent. Sometimes I'm slow on that, but you will have them.

I just wanted to let everyone know a little about the shelter, and how things are here. It's important for you to know what goes on and how hard it is to care for almost 90 animals. I am a true believer in God. I believe that this is what I am meant to do. It's not easy, I do without myself, nothing is important to me except the animals. I don't care to have nice clothes. My car is ready to break down but I won't and can't buy a new one. I ration my own food, I cut corners wherever I can so I can give to the animals. It isn't easy, it's a constant struggle, but these are God's creatures and until people learn to be more responsible pet owners, shelters like myself will always be around and constantly struggling. I would not be here right now if not for the Good Lord and all of the people who help out with buying on eBay from me, sending donations of food and money. You are all owners of this shelter also. I thank you again from the bottom of my heart. If it's God's will I will survive here and keep it going.

If everyone who visits this website just sent in a $1, it would be a great help.

Thank you,
Sue Thomas & the Furballs