The Alberta Ferret Society based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is a fairly new organization. We've only been in existence for about eight months now but during that time we have not been idle. Recently Wherret Ferrets of Vancouver who's shelter was filled to the max sent us an e-mail asking if we could help out. We replied with a resounding "YES!!", dubbed the mission "Operation Ferret Storm" and thanks to CANADIAN AIRLINES who generously donated the cost of transportation, ten Vancouver fuzzies arrived here and are now safe and sound in foster homes awaiting adoption. Actually only five are awaiting adoption as our members have already adopted five of them. Since that time (probably due in part to the media coverage from Operation Ferret Storm) we have had another ten ferrets surrendered to us, two of which were released to us from the local SPCA who appears to have finally recognized our determination to help Alberta's furrkids. Out of the ten, three were lost ferrets, two of whom have since been reunited with their frantically worried owners. Several of these ferrets are undergoing rehabilitation for biting behavior but we are confident that they can be turned around and will soon learn to trust again. Others required surgery for spaying/neutering and one needed adrenal surgery, all of which has been done along with vaccinations and/or medications as needed. We are now busy interviewing potential adopters and hope that soon all our foster fuzzies will have found caring permanent homes. Although the number of rescues may seem small in comparison to what some of the US shelters receive, we finally feel that we are starting to make a difference here and that at least for a few ferrets we may have made the difference between life and death. As is the case with most shelters we suffer from a lack of everything (cages, food, litter, blankies etc) so if you're interested in donating supplies we'd be happy to receive them. If you're interested in adopting please contact us by calling the Ferret Hot Line at (403) 447-3336 or you can e-mail [log in to unmask] Visit our web page at www.ferrets.edmontonab.com, where among other things you can read about some of the ferts that are looking for new homes. Happy New Year to all. Barb Gustafson (aka Boots) Alberta Ferret Society [Posted in FML issue 2174]