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Membership
- Associate Guide & Benefits
FACT Associate Membership is open to the public. While the shelter
primarily serves Southern New England, we have many caring associates nationwide and
worldwide who help support our shelter and education work.
FACT operates and supports a shelter exclusively for ferrets. Animals are taken in from
individuals who can no longer care for them as well as from public and private humane
societies and shelters who are unfamiliar with ferrets or who are not equipped to house
and care for them. Animals are adopted out following careful screening and an interview
process. Elderly or sick ferrets are provided appropriate medical care and live either in
the Halfway House or with an associate under the Fostered Ferret Plan.
Associates receive a discount on any ferret adopted through the Halfway House.
(Please
note, Associates are ALSO required to complete the adoption application and interview
process).
Associates are eligible to share their love, care, and homes with an older or ill
ferret who may need long-term care. FACT provides payment for approved veterinary expenses
while the animal remains permanently in the Foster home.
Associates receive a subscription to FACT's bi-monthly newsletter, Paw Printz.
Averaging 8 to 16 pages, Paw Printz features local, regional and national news, ferret
health and care articles, training tips, veterinary, shelter, and event listings.
FACT maintains a mail order catalog and a store attached to the shelter that carries a
limited number of unique and specialty ferret and ferret-related human gift items. FACT associates receive a discount
on all purchases at the store or made through the Ferret Treasures catalog.
FACT offers at least one ferret seminar per year. The seminar - a full day of
classes consisting of four modules, each lasting between 1 1/2 and 2 hours - offers the
opportunity to learn first-hand about ferrets and their care. FACT makes these same
seminars (or an abbreviated version of them) available to other ferret clubs as
well as to humane and educational groups throughout New England. Seminar fees are
discounted for Associates.
FACT participates in several large and small pet expositions and fairs throughout New
England. Ferret care information is disseminated and the general public has the
opportunity to learn about our pets. Associates are provided free or discounted admission
for staffing FACT's booth.
FACT Associates are available to offer advice to owners with behavioral or health
problems with their animals.
FACT maintains contact with other shelters and organizations regionally and nationally.
As much as possible, we attempt to help other ferret organizations achieve their humane
and educational goals.
FACT is a member of the American Humane Association as well as the New England
Federation of Humane Societies.
The best source of information about ferrets are other, experienced owners. FACT
associates constantly learn from each other, for both our benefit and the benefit of the
animals we love and live with.
Periodic meetings encourage associates to get actively involved in FACT educational and
fund-raising activities. Associate member & volunteer parties are held each year; a
chance for everyone to relax, enjoy and play with each other's ferrets.
FACT sponsors at least one fun fest per year for ferrets, featuring contests such as
bag escapes, tube races, and best dressed. In addition, Specialty Rings for specific
groups of animals are available for those with an interest in showing their ferret. The
competitive specialty rings are judged in accordance with standards that emphasize the
health, maintenance and temperament of the pet. (No "pedigree" is necessary to
participate!) Educational material is readily available at these events, and there are
vendors selling exclusive ferret supplies and novelties. Shelters and ferret rescues from
various areas also attend, for those who may be interested in adopting a ferret. All
frolic proceeds support the FACT, Inc. shelter and educational programs.
Discounts are provided Associates to FACT-sponsored events. A discount is also offered
for associates entering ferrets in FACT Frolics.
Annual membership dues are currently $25 for the first year of membership (includes an
extensive packet of brochures and a sample of a past newsletter) and $20 per renewal year.
Please drop us an e-mail with your name, address and we can e-mail the enrollment form.
Alternatively, you can just send your check
or credit card information via mail using this form.
FACT Associate Membership
14 Sherbrooke Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106-3838
Your membership packet
will be sent promptly.
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