Welcome to the Pacific Ferret Shelter Network!
The Pacific Ferret Shelter Network was founded on April 4th, 1998 by Chris Mathis of the Oregon Ferret Shelter. Chris was living in a large city with a lot of pet stores selling ferrets. She asked around and found that other shelters in the area had very few ferrets and even had waiting-lists. She started a close relationship with another shelter, transfering supplies, information and ferrets to them. It worked great and so the PFSN was born!
The goal of the PFSN is to maintain existing, and establish new, non-profit shelters. Through the cooperation of these shelters, ferrets can be moved to locations where they will be adopted easiest or be in a more appropriate facility. For example, some of our shelters specialize in taking care of those with special needs, such as ADV.
The PFSN also attempts to be a support net for shelters by giving a way for shelter operators to meet others that they can trust to ask for help and advice or just to comiserate! Operating a shelter can be emotionally challenging and sometimes it's great to just be able to talk to someone that really understands what you're going through.
The member shelters occasionally meet other members at regional ferret events. Some members become good friends and contact each other regularly. In this way the network is built of friends-of-friends that trust each other and wants to see each other be as successful as they can.
This simple concept has had some great effects. Here are some of the few we've seen so far:
- Helping shelter operators have a little more free time by sharing 'best practices' and passing on things that make operations more efficient
- Teaching new shelters how to make sure they comply with goverment regulations and tax laws to reduce their liability
- Helping the shelter community as a whole be more stable by reducing the worry that a shelter will suddenly close
- Getting better deals on supplies by buying larger quantities
- Sharing of large donations of food and litter
- Getting grants that are split among member shelters
- Sharing grant application templates and teaching each other how to apply for them
- Sharing new medical information and connecting vets who work on ferrets so they can learn more.
