Ferret Footnotes

Notes from the first meeting of
the unnamed DFW Ferret Club

March 1996

Cover Photo: Critter, the one-eared female sable who started it all for Erika in 1984. Critter is shown playing in Lake Mendota Park, in Madison, Wisconsin in spring, 1990. In fond remembrance of eight wonderful years.

At the First Meeting:

The first meeting of the DFW Ferret Club to be was graciously hosted by Linda Davis (owned by Buddy and Scooter) in Arlington, TX on Sunday, March 9, 1996 @ 2:00 p.m. Literature was dispensed, catalogs and resources were shared, and many items were discussed. These are summarized below:

Direction of Club: The group in attendance decided that the club should have several missions: (1) information dissemination to the public, officials, and potential ferret owners at pet stores, feed stores, veterinary clinics, and other sites; (2) working toward legalization of ferrets in specific cities and townships in Tarrant and Dallas counties; (3) support of ferret shelters; (4) provision of an educational, informational, and social environment for ferret owners to exchange information about ferret ownership, health care, and other issues.

Club "Ownership": The group determined that the club is "owned" by club members; not by a shelter, petstore, veterinarian, or other individual. Members will get out of the club what they put into it; everyone's contributions are important!

Club Affiliation: The club will be supportive of ferret shelters, but will not directly show a sponsorship relation with ferrets shelters because shelters are viewed as competition for pet stores in which we would like to establish relationships. There was some debate as to whether the club should charter under a larger organization that would have more resources at its disposal (although at a higher cost). Patricia Curtis volunteered to investigate affiliation with the larger Ferret Lovers Club of Texas organization, and Erika Matulich volunteered to investigate Legion of Superferrets. Additionally, there is a possibility of forming a Dallas county and Tarrant County chapter so meeting attendance will be easier for some DFW residents. These issues have yet to be determined.

Future Meetings: To maintain organization and reason for attendance, future meetings will be organized and have an agenda. While the club is still in formation, meetings can move locations, but eventually a fixed location will be sought. Additionally, during this formative time, meeting times will be set according to members' ability to attend. Meetings will usually be held on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and business will last approximately for one hour (with extended hours for socializing and ferret frolicking!). Eventually, a fixed Sunday will be determined for monthly meetings.

Tasks: In addition to tasks mentioned above, Ed Bullard volunteered to begin work on a brochure; the members determined that publication of a brochure should be the first priority. David Finster volunteered to create a Web Site.

Shelter: Patricia Curtis of the Ferrets Are First Shelter in Weatherford showed a number of items the shelter has for sale, including bowls, leather collars, hammocks, sleep sacks, tubes, playpens, etc.

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