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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
