>From Ferret Association of Connecticut, Inc. e-mail:
>[log in to unmask]   [forwarded by request]
 
We are asking all ferret shelters on the East Coast to come to the aid of
the Northwest Jersey Ferret Association.  A local shelter in their area
has abruptly shut down, leaving 100 ferrets in need of assistance.
 
The shelter operator's husband is currently caring for the animals, but
clearly the more we are able to move to other shelters the better care
they will have, and less animals will burden the two small Northwest Jersey
shelters.  FACT will be assisting Jane Casale and Dave Revere of NWJFA in
coordinating rescue efforts and with publicizing this emergency.
 
Jane will attempt to obtain a list of the animals.  While we hope to try
 
to keep cagemates together, we may not be able to obtain much in the way
 
of medical history or personality on individuals.  FACT has committed to
 
pay for distemper vaccinations for each animal.
 
Ferret Shelters: If you are able to take in any number of these animals,
please contact Jane Casale at (973) 827-5170.  She will keep a list of
where you are located and how many animals you can take.  I am in the
process of attempting to get someone to act as a transportation coordinator -
someone to arrange relay runs of animals to shelters.  When I have a name
and phone number, it will be posted.
 
Ferret Lovers: If you live in the vicinity of the Northwest Jersey Ferret
Association (bounded by Port Jervis, NY to the north, East Stroudsburg, PA
to the west, and Paterson, NJ to the east) and are interested in helping
care for, transport, or, even better, ADOPT one of these animals, please
contact Dave Revere at (973) 947-0149.
 
Individuals living outside the immediate area are also urged to consider
adopting one of these ferrets.  A listing of the shelters participating
in this rescue will be posted both on the FML and at the FACT website,
ferret-fact.org as soon as it is available.  YOU MUST BE ABLE TO TRAVEL
TO ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING SHELTERS.  Animals will NOT be shipped
cross-country.  Each participating shelter will utilize its own adoption
procedures and will individually set adoption fees.  Please wait for the
listing to be published.
 
PLEASE!!  Do NOT call either Jane or Dave unless you can specifically
assist!  They are going to have their hands FULL and absolutely will not
have time to chat.  Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated in this
urgent situation.
 
At this time, the health of these animals is unknown.  Should there be a
large number in need of medical assistance, we will post a central point
to which donations can be sent.
 
Thank you all for your attention.
 
L. Vanessa Gruden
Shelter Director, Ferret Association of Connecticut, Inc.
[Posted in FML issue 2571]