INTRODUCTION: Members of the ferret community including ferret enthusiasts, ferret shelter operators and veterinarians in the Washington, DC region have started up an initiative called Ferret Awareness Through Education (FATE). As you are aware, there are consequences associated with the mass production of ferrets by ferret mills. These consequences include the flooding of the retail pet store market with relatively inexpensive ferrets, and, the health effects associated with mass production, early spaying/neutering, and early separation of kits from their mothers The presence of inexpensive ferret kits in pet stores attracts purchasers who may buy ferrets on impulse with little knowledge of the commitment required to provide a lifetime of care. Because of the health issues associated with mass production, ferrets produced by ferret mills frequently suffer from illness, genetic defects and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases such as adrenal disease and insulinoma. The downstream effect of all of this directly impacts ferrets, their owners, and, ultimately, privately run nonprofit ferret shelters and municipal animal control facilities and shelters. Ferret owners and shelter directors are faced with enormous costs to treat illnesses and perform life-saving surgeries. Ferrets suffer needlessly. Those of you reading this are already cognizant that we have an ongoing crisis. This crisis has been growing for decades and is now at an all-time high. The FATE initiative is aimed at promoting awareness to the urgency of the situation. We ask that all ferret enthusiasts and all U.S and Canadian shelters and rescues participate by taking the Ferret Awareness Through Education (FATE) survey. SURVEY LINKS: Ferret Enthusiasts: <https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FATE_FerretAwarenessThroughEducation_FerretEnthusiasts> Ferret Shelters/Organizations https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FerretAwarenessThroughEducation [Posted in FML 8039]