Hi all,
As some of you may know, last Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. smoke broke
out in a duct in the Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital in Fryeburg, Maine.
An immediate order was given to evacuate animals, staff and records.
All were safely evacuated!  Within minutes, the clinic was on fire and
by 7:00 p.m.  it was a total loss.  While they were fully covered by
insurance, money from this venue can be agonizingly slow to come.
 
Dr. Steve Caffrey is our shelter and personal ferret vet, as well as
the vet for many other ferret owners in NH and Maine.  This veterinary
hospital offered state-of-the-art equipment and full service, including
emergency service 24/7.  According to a recent article, they served over
13,000 clients, many with multiple pets.
 
Many have asked how they can help.  A fund has been set up at Key Bank on
Main Street in Fryeburg for donations to assist the staff in buying the
much-needed items for immediate use at their new temporary location on 85
Portland Street in Fryeburg.  The address for donations is:
 
Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital Fund
c/o Key Bank
122 Main Street
Fryeburg, ME  04037
 
Starting Monday, they will be able to do exams and vaccinations only.
There will be no surgeries or emergency services until the new clinic is
rebuilt (approximately 6-8 months).  You will need to find back-up ferret
veterinarian care in the event of an emergency in the interim.  I have a
very short list of ferret-knowledgeable vets in Maine and NH if you need
a vet while Fryeburg is rebuilding.  Email me privately to add your vet
or to locate one near you.
 
Thank you for your support.  We are very thankful that no pets or staff
were injured in this tragedy, and we only hope that our friends at
Fryeburg Veterinarian Hospital will be up and running in record time!
 
Stephanie Mudgett
Ferret Services of Freedom
[Posted in FML issue 4137]