On Wednesday, December 17, 54 ferrets were rescued in what has been
described as one of the most organized rescues in Florida's history,
Operation SAFE.  These ferrets were removed from the home of Mr. Reynolds of
Arcadia, Fl and have been transported to various locations throughout
Florida.
 
Barbara Ludt, S.  Florida Ferret Club & Rescue Board Member, spent an
arduous week coordinating and assembling a consortium of ferret rescues and
individuals, including S.  Florida Ferret Club & Rescue (Miami) members Mike
Janke, Angela Espinet, Carin Riley, and Karen Braithwaite; Ferrets on the Go
shelter director (FL Panhandle), Deena Canals; Tampa resident, Paula Bryder;
Jacksonville residents, Mike and Lisa Jordan, Dr. Debbie Kemmerer and her
staff (Gainesville) and myself (Melbourne).  Bringing this many people
together from literally all over the state of Florida was a momentus task
and Barbara should be commended for bringing each of us into her plan.
Carin Riley described it best when she wrote, "She [Barbara] was thorough in
her explanations to each and every one of us, complete in her agenda and
direction so that upon arrival everyone (having never met before and briefly
or never spoken) was in agreement as to directions our task should take.  No
one was trying to be in charge and all worked patiently and in total
cooperation.  This, my friends, is to be commended for in all things
(especially ferret rescue) this is RARE."
 
Each of these people have donated what they could - whether it was cages and
setups from Angela, or Carin, Paula, Mike and Lisa giving of their time to
meet in Arcadia to rescue the 54 ferrets, or Mike and Lisa driving their new
charges onto Gainesville - and each of them should be commended for their
hardwork.  Paula Bryder has also graciously offered to foster 9 ferrets,
Kathleen Boaz is fostering two, fourteen are being kept at a safe house
awaiting transportation to Dr. Kemmerer's, Deena is fostering four, and the
remainder are awaiting their surgeries at Dr Kemmerer's office.  Several
will be needing intense work with to acclimate them to living in a household
with people.
 
As well as this operation has proceeded so far, there is one area that is
lacking - funding.  Barbara has personally funded this entire operation,
spending over $1,500 with further surgeries ahead, and only $30 has been
donated.  [A few companies and individuals have sent donations of items for
which we are very thankful!]
 
Barbara has pursued private funding but has been unsuccessful in obtaining
any grants.  The decision was made not to descent these ferrets in trying
help keep costs down, but each of these ferrets has to be neutered/spayed
and random checks for heartworms performed, food and litter must be
purchased, and other medical procedures performed as needed.  Dr. Kemmerer
has granted Barbara special rates for these ferrets, but let's not forget
that we are talking *54* ferrets!  Luckily, these ferrets were healthy!!
 
Please, if you are financially able, send Barbara a donation to help her
recoup these costs!  Even if you can only afford $5, remember that each of
these $5 will add up to make a substantial donation when many people donate
together!  Donations made directly to Barbara Ludt are tax-exempt and should
be made out to "S. Florida Ferret Club & Rescue", and sent to Barbara Ludt,
PO Box 984, Penny Farms, FL 32079-0984.
 
We ask that all donations be made directly to Barbara, but for those who
would rather send their donation directly to Dr Kemmerer, her clinic's
address is: West End Animal Clinic, 103 S.W. 140th Ter., Newberry, FL
32669.  Please mark your check "Arcadia" or "Operation SAFE".  Keep in mind
that donations made to Dr K. will not be tax-deductable.
 
To those of you who have offered to adopt one of these ferrets or have
already mailed in a donation, thank you!
 
Happy ferreting!
 
Susie Sherman
Delegate - Brevard Ferret Lovers Rescue
Secretary - Florida Coalition for Rational Rabies Policies
Participant - Operation S.A.F.E.
 
Additional contacts:
Paula Bryder     [log in to unmask]     Carin Riley    [log in to unmask]
Mike Janke       [log in to unmask]     Dr. Kemmerer   [log in to unmask]
Barbara Ludt (904) 284-9232
[Posted in FML issue 2173]