How many times have you wished that there was a "How to" course on caring for your beloved ferrets? A course designed for you, the ferret owner, rather than for veterinarians and their staff. A course that deals with issues the ferret owner faces everyday. Massachusetts Ferret Friends, Inc. presents Ferret Owner Education Series Ferret Aleutians Disease Virus (ADV) Seminar July 13th, 2002 Time 1pm-3pm All Newton Music School 321 Chestnut Street West Newton, MA Think of this as ADV 101 - a seminar where you will have an opportunity to learn where the disease originated, how does it affect our ferrets, how is it transmitted and how can we protect our ferrets from the risk of exposure, just to name a few topics to be covered. We are pleased to have as our guest speaker, Alicia Drakiotes, director of Ferret Wise Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Marlborough, NH. Alicia, a strong advocate of greater awareness of ADV, has been in close contact with the University of Georgia, where extensive research is being conducted with the hopes of finding out more about ADV and how to control its spread in the ferret community. Since 1999, she has been administering ADV tests on all ferrets coming into Ferret Wise and has encouraged all shelters to adopt a similar testing standard. In addition to Alicia's presentation, there will be a "question and answer" period, plenty of literature to take home and study and suggestions on how to speak about ADV with other ferret owners. Admission fee is $5.00 per person, MaFF members $3.00 with membership card. The funds raised from this event will help to continue our education programs, community outreach and shelter support. We will have the Avecon Quikchek ADV Test kits available for sale for $12.00 each. This test is designed for veterinary, shelter and home use. It involves collecting a saliva sample for testing, blood collection is not required. To date, we have been fortunate in Massachusetts in that we have not had an ADV positive ferret (to the best of our knowledge), but the Board of Directors feels very strongly that MaFF has a responsibility to provide our members, our ferret-knowledgeable vets, and our friends who own ferrets the necessary tools for making sound and reasonable decisions concerning the protection all ferrets from exposure to ADV. We ask that you set aside this day on your calendar and join us for this very important seminar. Light refreshments will be served after the seminar, as well as raffle tickets available for a Martin's Carrier filled with lots of ferret goodies, and a merchandise table where you can pick up a new toy, treat, hammock or other necessity for your ferret! This seminar is for humans only. No ferrets, please. Directions are below, at http://www.maferrets.org, or visit www.mapquest.com for door to door directions. There will be ample parking. **Rescue groups, clubs and other organizations please pass on this invitation to your members, and contact us for group admission discounts.** Please forward this to any ferret owners you may know, education is the key to help prevent the spread of this disease. We look forward to seeing you at this event. Massachusetts Ferret Friends Board of Directors Directions to the All Newton Music School , 321 Chestnut Street, west Newton, MA 02465 The Music School building is an old mansion, there is a blue sign at the entrance to the driveway. Parking is available in the front and rear of the building. From the NORTH -- - Route 128 South to Exit 20A (Route 9 East, Boston/Brookline) at the end of the ramp, merge onto Route 9 East - Take the Chestnut Street/Upper Falls/Waban Exit -- 3/10 mile on Route 9 - Go straight through first Stop sign [Stop first! BIG] - At second Stop sign, take a LEFT onto Chestnut Street - Go straight through two sets of lights - Go straight through third set of lights (Commonwealth Avenue) (1.5 miles from Route 9) - The All Newton Music School is the THIRD driveway on your LEFT. From the SOUTH -- - Route 128 North to Exit 20A (Route 9 East, Boston/Brookline) at the end of the ramp, stay to the right and take the Chestnut Street/Upper Falls/Waban - Exit -- DO NOT merge onto Route 9 - Go straight through first Stop sign - At second Stop sign, take a LEFT onto Chestnut Street - Go straight through two sets of lights - Go straight through third set of lights (Commonwealth Avenue) (1.5 miles from Route 9) - The All Newton Music School is the THIRD driveway on your LEFT. From the MASS PIKE -- Take the Route 128 Exit ???? [Posted in FML issue 3842]