To begin with, we extend our gratitude to anyone who is sincerely interested in becoming a member of Genuine Mustelids. This has been an extensive and intricate project that was only made possible by committed enthusiasts who volunteered their time and skills. Regrettably, we are currently not accepting new member applications, and we want to clarify the reason behind this decision.
Why we are currently not accepting new members
We would like to welcome new members, but this has become increasingly time-consuming due to misunderstandings over how we operate and insufficient communication from inquirers. On numerous occasions we were offered assistance that lacked follow-through, replied to inquiries with no response (usually due to the individual not knowing what they want or not receiving the reply they felt they were entitled to), or provided opportunities to prospective members who ultimately did not align with our project’s values, communicate their needs, concerns, or shift in interests. A major factor behind these setbacks for some is the glamorised perception of what it means to work with or be a member of our team.
In contrast to much of the educational content we see online that perpetuate half-truths or sensationalise wildlife for clout or profit, this project has always been about mustelids and the efforts of our sources, rather than the individuals who run it. Our primary focus is conveying the truth about these animals by challenging conventional narratives, which can be difficult to do for some candidates, especially if their fascination with a mustelid stems solely from a Disney-like understanding or myth. We are an advocacy group—what we do often involves a lot of research and critical analysis over subjects that can occasionally serve as unpleasant realities, and those who are searching exclusively for an unchallenging and euphoric environment, to put it simply, we tend to waste each other’s time.
This is not to say we could not use help in other ways. In fact, non-members and associates of Genuine Mustelids continue to contribute to much of what our website has to offer.
Other ways to help
Let us know of new information or problems
Our website is an ongoing project that requires additional information, but also contains plenty of existing material and links that can be difficult to maintain regularly. Often details about a mustelid species changes, new rescue and conservation groups are created or go defunct, a new mustelid is held at an exhibit, etc. We would appreciate being notified about these changes. If the subject is scientific, please include a reputable source (preferably peer-reviewed) for the information. If this interests you, feel free to contact us regarding such changes or ask about becoming a dedicated associate for this task. To get in touch, visit our contact form. Please be aware that we do not need to be informed of mustelids in games, animation, literature, or documentaries, as we have ample resources monitoring these media.
Promote mustelids in a more balanced light
Given that most people will never see a mustelid in their lifetime, how they are portrayed in media can significantly influence public perception. One of our main objectives at Genuine Mustelids is to prove that you do not need to be a scientist to make a positive impact. If you are an artist, writer, game developer, or documentary film maker, feel free to illustrate the information we provide in your own style. If more of the public can move past the need to perpetuate outdated depictions and beliefs about these animals, we can help present a more comprehensive view of their nature and circumstances.
Promote our website
We are not active on social media. Much of our impact comes from passionate mustelid enthusiasts who appreciate nothing more than a simple, advisement-free website that does not pander to algorithms or gimmicks to be effective. If you wish to support our efforts, please let others know of our website to help give credit to our sources and other creators.
Reduce the spread of misinformation
In the end, the best thing we can all do for mustelids is to get our information about them from credible sources. Mustelids continue to be among the most misrepresented, misidentified, and misunderstood mammals on the planet, even by many who profess to be knowledgeable about them. In today’s environment of AI material and deceptive attention-seeking at all costs, it is even more imperative that we not take at face value every shocking thing we read, see, or hear on the internet. Think critically about shocking stories and who those stories are coming from, always ask for the source of dramatic claims, avoid making broad generalisations about species, and refrain from anthropomorphising mustelids to rationalise their behaviour and intentions.