On a shelf in my room is a beautiful vase made by Danee DeVore. A
potter, she often uses her pieces as props for the pictures she takes
of her ferrets. These she shares with friends as she educates people
about many of the health issues that can affect ferrets. She has "even
taken her beautiful pottery pieces created in her precious few hours of
hobby time to enrich and support ferret shelters and education," said
one shelter operator who has benefited from Danee's largesse. Another
talent of this gifted woman is her ability to take yards of yarn and
transform it into beautiful afghans! Danee has donated many to raise
funds for numerous organizations.

Husband Rick and Danee live in Virginia and have one son, who has made
her a beaming grandmother many times over. Years of experience in the
Pentagon have helped make Danee - well, Danee! She likes to escape the
tedium of the capital area - especially to Hawaii, where the weather
is much more temperate than in northern Virginia.

Working on behalf of all ferrets, Danee has contributed much to our
knowledge of Aleutian's Disease Virus (ADV) in the domesticated
ferret. For years she provided blood, saliva and urine for analysis
by investigators studying this disease. Called on by professionals
and owners alike, Danee continues to educate the public, although she
no longer has any ADV+ ferrets.

Danee is very knowledgeable about other ferret illnesses and conditions
as well. "Over the years she has been a great coach with rescue and
personal ferrets and has provided insight on everything from behavior
advisement to birthing," stated a well-known, respected shelter
operator. Though she knows so much, Danee is held in high esteem for
the way she "respects the scientific process and how she keeps an open
mind when investigating ferret health options," said one colleague.

Danee served the IFC as Health Issues coordinator for more than six
years. She worked to obtain continuing education (CEU) credits for
educational events for both the IFC and the American Ferret Association
(AFA). In the past year Danee has raised two litters of kits, with so
many new experiences. She has recently expanded her bloodline with an
addition from Finland.

Although always quiet in her efforts, Danee has also been an active
rescuer on several occasions. "Whether it is raising tens of thousands
of dollars to provide needed research for fighting ADV or rescue
efforts for unwanted ferrets Danee is always right there," said a
friend. In the words of someone who knows her well, "She has authored
booklets to educate, written articles and ... held positions on several
prestigious ferret organizations and IMO her dedication has gone pretty
much unrecognized. I challenge folks to get to know Danee; she is a
friend of ferrets and of ferret lovers."

As for Danee, she says, "The words at the bottom of my posts say it
best: ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!" Check
out the websites on ADV at
http://www.ferretadv.com and
http://help4adv.terrabox.com/.
Come hear about breeding experiences when she presents at the
Pittsburgh Symposium. The "aaaawwwww" factor is sure to be off the
scale!

Join us in Pittsburgh
November 7-9, 2008

International Ferret Congress (http://www.ferretcongress.org)
Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue and Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.)
(http://www.ferretemergency.org)

[Posted in FML 6063]