Hello All - Few questions re: IFC and FAA's plans and how FACT can possibly support them along with some recommendations/thoughts. First, I am assuming that the goals should be: 1. Obtain shelter for any ferret "foundlings" - by that I mean strays that may be found in the affected area. Though realistically, I suspect they will be few and far between. But miracles happen every day. 2. Offer temporary housing for owners while they focus on putting their lives back in order. This is what I see should be the prime focus of any rescue effort. As a shelter our goal is ALWAYS to try to keep a ferret with its current family - taking that attitude has actually helped FACT reduce the number of animals we take in. For most of these families, temporary housing and, perhaps, financial support to replace medications and ferret supplies may be the most important need and helping them do that - IMHO - should be the focus.. 3. Some people will be forced to give up their pets permanently. (see 2 above!). If we concentrate on goal 2, we should be able to minimize the number that need permanent housing. But again, we need to be prepared for that as well. In order to deliver on the prime objective, it will be critical to keep the ferrets as close to their owners as possible. While some folks may head to move in with relatives anywhere in the country and we need to be sensitive to that, most will try to stay close to their property. While I agree, Judy, that ferret shelters and ferret lovers may be the best option for ferrets, many ferret owners are multiple species families, and we need to be very sensitive to that. I believe there are vets willing to house animals short term. We should put a priority on identifying them and be prepared to direct financial support in to help that effort. We need to keep in mind that many of the vets in the area have been adversely affected as well. What we can do is have a local list of ferret knowledgeable folks available for volunteering to help the vets. I suspect that may be easier than trying to find local homes willing to take ferrets along with all the other species that will need housing. Fortunately, ferrets don't take up a lot of room! Sukie's list is a superb effort to id ferret friendly vets - but perhaps there are also less knowledgeable vets and homes willing to help! Task should be to identify the status of area vets as well as kennels and boarding facilities to see if they are "in business" overwhelmed or willing to take in ferrets and for how long? Also need to know what they think they would need to charge for the help. Further, have the area shelters been id'd? Having run a ferret shelter I am biased - but I would think it would be most helpful to try to empty as many local shelters as possible to give them the space to take the animals that may arrive from the mainstream shelters. (BTW - most people will probably be directed by area support staff, the military, and human services organizations to the key players like HSUS, NSAL, etc). The FAA's expertise would be invaluable there. And again, relaying animals that have already been evaluated by the shelter with their needs already identified would open up more room locally - which is where we should try to keep as many of the evacuated animals as possible (see 2 above, yet again!). If they become overwhelmed, we can always look to move more out of the area. Again - we need to ensure that the financial support is there to deliver on what we promise - as our respective pockets are rather thin given the sheer scope of the disaster. I would add a cautionary note about moving quantities of ferret supplies around. Most of the large organizations recommend against accepting donations of food and durable goods. The cost of shipping and moving items about far outweighs their value - especially with the current rising cost of fuel and the need for trucks to bring bare necessities to the area. While it seems crass, money is the best support!!! And can also help to bring needed dollars into the local community that has been so devastated. Our local pet store down the street (love 'em or hate 'em as your local situation dictates) does not need to rebuild their business. Except for those business in NO and the coastal areas destroyed, I think that we would be adding human value by sending money into the local economy right now (sorry if my economic background "slip" is showing!) Having sat on the board of the New England Federation of Humane Societies and their advisory board for several years, I know that while these mainstream groups recognize the value of small, dedicated species shelters, they also tend to view us as sometimes being a bit naive in our approach. Not our fault, we just don't have the broad experience and exposure they do (frankly the sheer volumes they have to deal with daily always overwhelms me!). But what we do have that is admired deeply is the commitment, dedication and enthusiasm species dedicated groups offer. I have always been convinced we need to work in close partnership with the mainstream groups to provide back-up and support. May be redundant here and perhaps the effort is already underway but can I suggest that we take a proactive approach and outreach to the vets on the list Sukie has and obtain volunteers to make phone calls to access capacity etc of the vets? Ditto for whatever shelter lists are available? (Is the Ferret Central list current?). I know calls cost money. We just need folks assigned to specific portions of the list to keep track of time/charges for reimbursement if necessary. At the least, if they pay for the calls, they can consider that a donation. With so many folks with unlimited calling plans or time available on cell phones, perhaps it can be done quickly and efficiently. Just need a plan for it. I am willing to put together a common questionnaire for each caller to use. And maintain a list of caller volunteers and assignments. Just need the volunteers, the best up to date lists around and, if Bill is agreeable, use the FML as the forum for keeping everyone updated. Please weigh in readers - as I know there are many areas of expertise and experience out there! Ann Gruden President, Ferret Association of CT, Inc. - FACT [Posted in FML issue 4989]