I wanted to post again about the Black-footed Ferret Patches we still
have available.  I was going to post the usual stuff about how great
this patch is - how it is one of Sharon Bearden's best designs yet!
How all proceeds from the sale of the Patch go to help the Black-footed
Ferret Recovery effort, and how they make wonderful Christmas gifts.
They are such a rare and unique item.  We all know there just isn't that
much BFF stuff out there!  And while all this stuff is most definitely
true, that's not what this post is going to be about!  This post is
going to be about how I personally feel about the BFF Recovery Program.
 
I care about all animals - not just ferrets.  I care about all animals
that we, as humans, have put onto the Endangered Species List, but maybe
I feel a little more deeply about the BFF's because they are so much like
our beloved fuzzies.  Maybe I care about them a little more because of
the incredible odds they have battled back from.  And maybe I care about
them a little more because I have been very fortunate to get to know some
of the passionate people who are working to save these wonderful animals.
 
This last weekend I was one of the few lucky people to be able to attend
the Forum in the Fort.  The highlight of this event was a trip to the
Black-footed Ferret Breeding Facility in Fort Collins.  In case you are
not familiar with this facility, this is where they breed the BFF's with
hopes that the babies will eventually be able to be released back into
the wild.  It is an amazing facility and an amazing program.
 
While I was there, I was very fortunate to be able to help release a
little female into one of the Re-Introduction pens.  This pen is a place
much like what she will experience in the wild and she will spend the
next couple months learning what she needs to know to be able to survive
in the wild.  This was also the first time those precious little paws
felt dirt beneath them.  I just cannot tell you how amazing it was to
see this little thing popping in and out of holes, smelling the brisk air
and feeling the warmth of sunshine for the first time.  It is something I
will not forget for a very, very long time.
 
I know there are so very many "causes" to donate to right now and every
last one of them is more than worthy!  But the Black-footed Ferret
patches are only $4.00 plus .50 shipping.  It is such a small amount
and such a wonderful program.  All of the proceeds will go to Prairie
Wildlife Research.  You can check them out by going to:
http://www.prairiewildlife.org/.
Please make your check payable to the IFC -- International Ferret
Congress and send to:
 
Judy Cooke,
110 Jer-Be-Lou Blvd,
Panacea, FL  32346
 
If you have more than $5.00 laying around, go to the Prairie Wildlife
Research site and check out their BFF adoption program!
 
If you don't have any money at all to donate, you can still help!  There
are millions of people out there who don?t have a clue what a BFF is or
why they were pushed to the brink of extinction.  On the plane ride home,
I sat beside a woman who wanted to talk to pass the time.  She told me
all about her weekend, so I told her about mine.  When I told her I had
just went to the BFF Breeding facility, she said "Oh -- my brother has
one of them!"  I gently laughed and went on to explain the difference
between a domestic ferret and a BFF.  It turned into a wonderful
conversation and I deplaned knowing that one more person had been
enlightened!
 
So... if you have no money, you can still help!  You can talk!  Many of
us see ourselves as educators.  We're out there in the pet stores, at
ferret shows and events, and even just talking with family and friends.
When you're talking about your sweet, precious babies, why not throw out
a tidbit or two about their distant cousin!  Animals all over the world
are in danger of becoming extinct -- but the BFF is right here in our
backyard!
 
You can help!  Learn about them!  Talk about them!  Buy a Patch!!
 
Judy Cooke
Co-Director International Ferret Congress
<www.ferretcongress.org>
[Posted in FML issue 5043]