Calendar Our
Constitution Ferret
History
How to contact FIRST:
. Telephone: 604.263.7481 .
. Fax: 604.263.0314
.
. E-mail: first@ferrets.org
.
. Mail: FIRST
Society .
. 113
- 3495 Cambie St. .
. Vancouver,
B.C. .
. V5Z
4R3 .
Incorporated under the "Society Act" of British Columbia,
24 July, 1996.
Society Number S-35650.
What is FIRST?
FIRST is a charitable, working society dedicated
to ferret welfare and registered in British Columbia on July 24,
1996. The objective of FIRST is to promote the interests of ferrets
within the province through:
Providing a shelter, care, and adoption service
specifically for ferrets; to provide an informational and educational
service to all people, organisations, and businesses with an interest
in ferrets; to represent the best interests of ferrets, their
owners, and ferret-related groups at provincial and local levels.
To achieve these aims, FIRST co-operates with the
provincial SPCA and has applied for and received from Revenue
Canada, recognition as a charitable organisation.
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Who's on FIRST?
Members:
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Origins of FIRST
The concept of a ferret welfare organization and
charity goes back several years, with the Society being an evolution
of the shelter and adoption activities of Vancouver's ferret club.
This club was started in 1992 as a way of bringing ferret-oriented
people together for fun and socializing. In time, the club grew
to have over one hundred people on its membership list.
Predictably, people began calling for advice and
information about ferrets. Then came the day that ferrets were
brought by and given up for adoption. The club soon became a "de
facto" shelter and rescue service, handling over sixty ferrets
for adoption.
The financial burden of such an operation was prohibitive,
so ferrets were basically taken in, given rudimentary medical
care, and adopted out as quickly as possible. The concept of a
welfare society for ferrets as an adjunct to the club was floated
as a solution to this problem. The advantages of a registered
provincial society, especially a charitable one, were clear but
the club was unable to grow in that direction. The founding members
of FIRST decided to create a new association independent of all
social clubs for ferrets: In this way the new society could concentrate
solely on ferret welfare.
With advice from Michael Weeks, then the Executive
Director of the Vancouver Regional S.P.C.A., and the continuing
support of the current Executive Director, Douglas Hooper, the
idea of a ferret welfare society was brought slowly to realization
in the first half of 1996. Incorporated in July, 1996, as the
FERRET INFORMATION RESCUE SHELTER & TRUST SOCIETY, or, more
simply, FIRST (Ferret) Society, we have endeavoured to promote
responsible ownership, proper care and housing, education, further
veterinary education and recognition of health needs, improved
welfare and protective legislation, lobbying and liaison, and
provide a rescue, shelter, and education facility for ferrets
throughout the province.
The Society is the first charity specifically for
ferret welfare in Canada, and, as far as we can determine, the
world. In the last few years, FIRST has become the primary ferret
rescue in the province, with most S.P.C.A. branches, municipal
animal control agencies, and other welfare groups preferring to
use FIRST's expertise and resources rather than attempt to deal
with the special needs of ferrets themselves. FIRST has even arranged
to recover ferrets from Toronto through the good offices of Canadian
Regional Airlines.
On the February 3rd of 1997, FIRST formally introduced
itself to the Vancouver Regional S.P.C.A. with the aim of explaining
how FIRST could assist the S.P.C.A. in fulfilling its mandate.
As a result of this meeting, the S.P.C.A. no longer euthanises
ferrets except when humane action is required. Instead, sick or
seemingly vicious animals will be sent to FIRST for medical care
and observation. Often these ferrets can recover, needing only
care and love before going to a good home. FIRST hopes to continue
building a mutually beneficial relationship with the S.P.C.A.
As FIRST's primary concern is ferret welfare, this
website is unfortunately a low priority given our limited resources.
Therefore, updates to the material here will be sporadic. However,
we hope that we will be able to post new information every two
to three months.
Meet Our Mascot
Ophelia Ferret, another ferret-mill refugee, now two years of
age, takes over the position of Society Mascot from Huckleberry
Finn Ferret. Her first public appearance in her new position was
at the Vancouver Pet Fair, 29-30 of May, 1999.
Rescued on 13 February, 1998, at the age of one
year, Ophelia had third degree burns covering over 30% of her
body, caused by either a scalding or caustic liquid, and had several
of her teeth broken. Her hind feet were so badly burned that amputation,
and therefore euthanization, seemed likely. Fortunately, with
extensive around-the-clock care by the Society's vets, this outcome
was avoided. The location and severity of her burns predisposed
her to on-going and expensive medical care for urinary/vaginal
tract problems, lesions, and movement difficulties. The nature
of the required treatment and care made her an unadoptable animal,
so she became a ward of the Society and, with Huckleberry Finn's
already deteriorating condition, "mascot-in-waiting."
Ophelia was adopted by the veterinarians who rescued
and treated her. She now is now almost completely recovered --
the only lingering problem being some unhealed sores on her body.
She is at last a happy, trusting animal living with several other
ferrets and a puppy.
Her initial veterinary costs were $891.55. Further
expenses have been absorbed by her parents.
The owners, local breeders, were unable to explain
how she was injured.
Can You Help?
FIRST consists of a small number of members who have specific
skills to lend the Society in achieving its aims. In addition,
there are about two dozen volunteers who foster the ferrets; drive
them to and from their old homes, the vet offices, and the foster
homes; help with fund-raising; follow-up calls; etc. All of these
people contribute their time and resources. No one, not even the
executive members, receive any money for their work: All money
collected goes towards medical care for the animals. We always
need help, especially with fostering ferrets and taxiing them
to and from the vets.
In addition to direct help, we need donations to
help pay veterinary bills, clean bedding and large cages for the
ferrets, and food and litter to offset the foster parent's expenses.
If you feel you can help in some way, please contact
us. There are still more ferrets out there needing YOUR help.
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"Someone once defined sentimentality as too much feeling
for too small an event. But they are never small when you're dealing
with true companions."
Robert James Waller
