The Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.) was formed to fill a specific niche in the disaster response community. Our goal has been to train people to become prepared to help themselves in the event of disaster and to travel to disasters to work with other disaster groups as part of a skilled and professional animal disaster response team. As a member of the Red Cross and F.E.R.R.E.T., I have had the privilege of working with some wonderful volunteers at animal shelters and learning about other groups and animals. Now you have an opportunity to receive hands-on training from and with other disaster responders who work with all animals. Noah's Wish (http://noahswish.org/) invites you to receive this training. You will have the opportunity to camp out with the class for an entire weekend to learn about such things as search & rescue (SAR) techniques, animal sheltering, the animal intake process, infectious animal shelter diseases, disaster information on hurricanes or earthquakes, disaster psychology and safety in the disaster environment. Information focuses on the needs of more common pets like cats and dogs, but also about pocket pets and reptiles. This year special consideration of ferrets' needs will also be presented, and Noah's Wish has invited F.E.R.R.E.T. to provide the species-specific training. A separate track for returning volunteers will provide information about generators, vehicle safety & blood borne pathogens, plus a whole lot more! Not sure if on-site disaster response is your thing? Come for realistic training and a simulation and learn what disaster response is all about! The information you get here will be helpful to you in your own situation and also prepare you to assist in the background instead of on the front lines. The next class will be held May 15th-16th at 50810 SE Grouse Ridge Rd. in North Bend, WA. Cost is only $125 for new volunteers and $85 for returning volunteers, students or seniors (62+). Pre-registration is required and space is limited! For more information about Noah's Wish or this exciting training visit www.noahswish.info or call: 916-939-9474. I hope to see you there! If you are unable to attend this event, you may be able to travel to one of these June opportunities: June 5 & 6 in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada, June 19 & 20 in Cheltenham, MD, or June 26 & 27 in Petawawa, Ontario, Canada. Permission - and request - to crosspost. Please share with all you know! -- Renee Downs "Eventually we will realize that if we destroy the ecosystem we destroy ourselves." Jonas Salk "The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Amelia Earhart It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets the credit! Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.) http://www.ferretemergency.org [Posted in FML 6646]