I would like to cross post this and list on FML. We all do need to work together to assist where possible. Cindy Scheidt Katrina Rescue Effort - Can you help? I have been contacted by so many people wanting to help with the victims of Katrina. I want to let everyone know that we are trying to organize a network to help the ferrets that have been displaced. The IFC, SOS and FAA will work together to try to get ferrets to safety. Because the damage is so extensive, we will not be able to get in to the affected areas, but by working with the professional organizations that are already there, hopefully, we will be able to get the ferrets out and into the hands of the people who can care for the best - us - the ferret community! We all know that ferrets have special needs and these needs will probably not be met by the organizations doing the actual rescues! We are in the process of getting information to as many rescue organizations as possible in hopes that as soon as ferrets arrive at the temporary shelters set up all around the region, we will be contacted and be able to go in and bring the ferrets out and into the hands of ferret-knowledgeable people and safety. If you want to help, here is what we need: We need people to take in displaced ferrets. We will need temporary homes and quite possibly, permanent homes! If you have place in your heart and home for one more ferret - please, please contact Francine Prager at [log in to unmask] We also need shelters who may have room to house a couple more! If you are a shelter and would like to help, please contact Brenda Johnson at [log in to unmask] We understand this will be an extra burden to your probably already overcrowded shelter, but we are hoping to get as many private homes lined up as possible so this will just be a temporary burden to you! We need food, bedding and supplies, please contact me, Judy Cooke at [log in to unmask] The needs are extensive and the list of items we need is long! We need to get ferret supplies into the temporary shelters to help with immediate needs. We need care packages to go with the ferrets into their new homes, and we need to support the shelters with food, bedding litter and supplies! If you would be able to transport a ferret, please contact the Ferrets Across America at [log in to unmask] We also need information! There are many, many ferret people out there and some have a very deep circle of contacts - if you know of someone needing help, PLEASE, PLEASE let us know! We still need funds - you can donate by giving to the FML 5000th, Support Our Shelters, or the International Ferret Congress ELF Fund. To donate: To the FML 5000th: Paypal to [log in to unmask] Make a note that it is for the FML 5000th. Check or money order made out to IFC to: Judy Cooke, 110 Jer-Be-Lou Blvd, Panacea, FL 32346 To Support Our Shelters: Paypal to [log in to unmask] Check or money order made out to SOS to: Judith White, 100 Walsh Road, Lansdowne, PA 19050 To the IFC Emergency Love Fund: Paypal to [log in to unmask] Check or money order to IFC to: Linda Iroff, 46180 Butternut Ridge Road, Oberlin, OH 44074 We know there are ferret people all over the country wanting to help! What I would like to do at this time, is find out who would be available to help in the future. Let's face it, we live in a country where natural and man-made disasters can and do occur. We are laying the foundation with Katrina that would potentially allow us to help ferrets in the future! But in order to help, the national organizations are going to have to take us seriously. We all know there is no one more capable of taking care of ferrets than us! We not only have some of the best vets in the country teaching us how to care for our ferrets, we also have some of the most devoted and dedicated people running shelters, raising funds and giving support where it's needed! It is entirely possible to work on getting a network set up now that can and will help us in the future. We need to organize and be ready to help when called upon! If you are interested in finding out more information about forming a national emergency network, please contact Sukie at [log in to unmask] If anyone has any information, any ideas or any questions, please contact me! Thank you! Please feel free to cross-post this information! Judy Cooke Co-Director International Ferret Congress Support Our Shelters [Posted in FML issue 4992]