Dear Fellow Ferret Enthusiasts:
 
The American Ferret Association needs your help!
 
Like many nonprofits, the AFA needs your support to continue to bring
important advances in the protection of the ferret.  No other
organization represents ferrets-both nationally and internationally-to
bring the following services and benefits to ferrets and ferret owners.
 
Since 1991, the American Ferret Association has worked to:
 
Promote the domestic ferret as a companion animal through public
education via shows, newsletters, legislative education, and other
venues.
 
Protect the domestic ferret against anti-ferret legislation,
mistreatment, unsound breeding practices and overpopulation, needless
scientific research, and any practice deemed to lower the health
standards or survivability of the animal.
 
Provide constant and up-to-date information about veterinarians,
legislative activities, medical developments, research data, rescue
shelters, and other information of interest to ferret fanciers
everywhere.
 
Without your financial assistance, the AFA can no longer carry out the
following activities:
 
Humane Care and Expert Information-The AFA is a source of ferret-related
information from the country's leading ferret experts.  We are working
with the U.S.  Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide a minimum age
standard for the shipping and sale of baby ferrets.  We are working with
the USDA to ensure that U.S. Airways is prosecuted for the death of the
baby ferrets transported in December 2000.
 
Media Watchdog-AFA monitors radio, television, and print media to ensure
accurate and unbiased reporting about ferrets.  Last year, AFA blasted
Verizon Wireless for its ad misleadingly depicting a ferret.  The
commercial was subsequently voted one of the year's top five worst ads
by Entertainment Weekly.
 
Reference Library-The AFA library contains hundreds of scientific
articles on ferret health, vaccines, diseases, and related topics.  We
share our library with not just members but also the USDA, U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health, and researchers
throughout the world.
 
Veterinary Referrals-With its database of ferret-knowledgeable
veterinarians, the AFA can provide ferret owners with local veterinary
referrals, and veterinarians with the names of specialists in particular
disease states of ferrets.
 
Shelter Guidelines and Referrals-If you wish to adopt a ferret, the AFA
can direct you to a shelter or rescue near you.  If you operate a shelter
or are thinking of doing so, you may wish to purchase the AFA's recently
updated Shelter Guidelines handbook.
 
Breeder Referrals-Looking for a new addition?  Ask the AFA for a list of
AFA-sanctioned breeders.  Additionally, the AFA provides education and
support for breeders throughout the U.S.  and overseas to encourage sound
breeding and husbandry practices.  AFA is developing a voluntary breeder
program to ensure optimal husbandry and to improve the genetic stock of
U.S.-bred domestic ferrets.
 
Seminars and Demonstrations-Learn more about ferrets and ferret care by
attending one of the AFA's educational seminars or demonstrations; see
www.ferret.org for a schedule of upcoming events.
 
Veterinary Symposium-Veterinarians and others interested in veterinary
medicine can advance their knowledge at AFA's comprehensive veterinary
symposium, "Management of the Ferret."
 
Legislative Activities-The AFA continues to provide data, resources, and
support for ferret owners and enthusiasts working toward legislation that
will protect the domestic ferret and the rights of ferret owners.
 
Show Sanctioning-Every year, the AFA sanctions a number of championship
ferret shows throughout the country.  AFA is the first national ferret
association to implement a show policy requiring ADV testing on all
ferrets brought to shows.
 
Show Standards and Titles-The AFA continues to develop and maintain a
professional ferret show system and judging standard.  The AFA trains,
licenses, and provides continuing education for ferret judges and
maintains a database of points and titles awarded at AFA-sanctioned
shows.  AFA has just published the "AFA Judges Program" outlining AFA's
official, one-of-a-kind training program for show judges.  In 2002, AFA
launched a Specialty Judges Training Program.
 
American Ferret Report-Our quarterly newsletter keeps AFA members
up-to-date on health, legislative, care, and show news.
 
Your donation will help the AFA achieve its goals in 2003:
 
Host the fourth AFA Veterinary Symposium, "Management of the Ferret,"
November 8 in Rockville, Maryland.
 
Continue its effort to develop a standard minimum age for kits to be
shipped and sold.
 
Implement AFA's voluntary registered/certified breeder program, including
a code of ethics.
 
Seek justice for the ferret killed by its owner in a St. Louis airport.
 
Create breed standards for ferrets to promote the breeding of healthy
ferrets.
 
Increase AFA's information dissemination by publishing the following AFA
brochures: "Ferret Nutrition" and "Ferrets 101."
 
Won't you show your support for the AFA with a contribution today?  Any
amount is appreciated, and your contribution is 100% tax-deductible.  The
American Ferret Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
 
You may choose to send a one-time gift of $500, $250, $100, $50, or any
other amount.  Or you may wish to provide ongoing support by pledging a
set monthly amount-easily arranged through an automatic deduction of your
credit card each month.  This is an easy, hassle-free way to make a
larger gift to the AFA!
 
Whatever you are able to give to the AFA is much appreciated.  The AFA
needs your help today so that we can continue to be there tomorrow for
you and your ferrets.  Thanks very much.
 
Sincerely, Gigi M Shields,  AFA President
[Posted in FML issue 4237]