Given the recent ferret mistreatment and outright abuse incidents, I thought I'd make folks aware of a workshop on November 6, which will be held in NH. The information may also be useful to others who are too far away to attend, but may want to set up something similar in their areas. If there is anyone who would like to attend this workshop, email me and I can give you the registration details. Anyone wanting to set up a similar workshop in their states/areas can probably contact HSUS directly (Randall Lockwood is VP, Training Initiatives). BIG guy, I hope you will let this one through, even though it is not exclusively ferret-related. The workshop is titled: First Strike: Breaking the Cycle and Exploring the Connection between Animal and Human Abuse. It's being sponsored by the Upper Valley Humane Society, WISE (Women's Information Services), and the Humane Society of the United States. Topics will include: The Roots of Cruelty and the Psychology of Abuse, The Family Perspective, The Animal Perspective, Intervention and Legal Issues, Prevention and Education, and a discussion group topic: Where do we go from here? Conference objectives are stated as: Recognition and discussion of the connections between animal cruelty and violence towards humans. Identification of indicators of abuse to animals that may signal violence against humans. Creation of opportunities for interaction between professionals involved in animal protection and their counterparts in human services dealing with abused children and domestic violence. Exchange of information with law enforcement officials and the court system on the seriousness of animal cruelty cases in the larger context of family and societal violence. Establishment of a local network of animal protection and human service providers to offer support, cross-training, intervention strategies and community education. The brochure notes that half of the women seeking protection from domestic violence have had a pet threatened or killed as one part of their abuse. This is sad, but not really surprising. Many shelter operators have probably seen such cases come through their doors. Again, if any one wants registration info for this workshop, email me at [log in to unmask] Karen [log in to unmask] ====================================================================== Do what you want, do what you wish. It's your life but remember this. There's bound to be some consequences, sneaking under other fences. Then what? Whatcha gonna do when the new wears off and the old shines through, and it ain't really love and it ain't really lust, you ain't anybody anybody's gonna trust. Then what? Where you gonna turn when you can't turn back for the bridges you've burned, and fate can't wait to kick you in the butt. Then what? -- Clay Walker ====================================================================== If you love ferrets, check out: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~crassi/index.html ====================================================================== [Posted in FML issue 2460]