From:
Linda Iroff
Date: 2002-01-08 09:54:00 UTC
Subject: Ferret Symposium announces Special Achievement Awards
I am honored to announce that the International Ferret Symposium will
present Special Achievement Awards to three people for their outstanding
service to the ferret community. Their contributions have improved the lot
of both ferrets and their owners, and will continue to have a deep,
widespread, and long lasting impact.
The Awards are presented to:
Christopher Bennett, for his creation of the Ferret Health List;
Jeanne Carley, for her work on legalization of ferrets in California; and
Troy Lynn Eckart, for her shelter work, especially in large scale rescues.
CHRISTOPHER BENNETT saw a need for a ferret health site even before he met
Dr. Bruce Williams and they began work on The Ferret Health List. The
group (originally of three but then quickly 4, and soon 6) set about
working to create an ongoing forum which would respect the needs of those
with questions, of vets, and especially of ferrets. It is not an easy
balance and is a constant learning experience.
A huge amount of behind-the-scenes work by Christopher has made the FHL a
pleasant and effective place to be. That the FHL has grown to almost 1,200
members in less that a year says a great deal about its hard-won strengths.
Christopher gave birth to the FHL, then he readily invited others in. He
never once has acted as if the site belonged to him rather than to the
group of moderators. He has continued to show how to create and share, and
how to make a huge job appear effortless.
He's a man with a very big heart and that shows in all of his works.
JEANNE CARLEY has worked tirelessly for the legalization and welfare of
ferrets in California. In 1995 she and her father, Floyd Carley, co-founded
Californians for Ferret Legalization (CFL) to fight California's ban on
ferret ownership. Working with the Departments of Agriculture and of Fish
and Game, Jeanne organized and put into place the rescue system for ferrets
confiscated at the state's Agricultural stations. Previously, ferrets
seized at these stations were euthanized. She has organized petition
drives, lobbied state legislators and helped promote ferret legalization
bills. Ferrets are not legal YET in California, but when they are, it will
be in very large part due to her efforts.
Jeanne and her father also organized the Ferret Education Foundation, a
501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose goal is to prevent the abuse and
abandonment of domesticated ferrets by providing the public with
educational material on the ferret's true nature and special needs. The
foundation's goal is to prevent the acquisition of a ferret by someone who
cannot meet those needs for the lifetime of the animal.
Jeanne's award-winning Ferret Calendars have brought smiles to the faces of
ferret owners and non-owners alike, highlighting their charm, friendliness
and playfulness.
TROY LYNN ECKART's warmth, gentleness and generousity of spirit has soothed
and healed many anxious ferrets and their owners. She founded the Ferret
Family Services Shelter in 1987 and has directly and indirectly
participated in the rescue of 1000s of ferrets. She has served as the
coordinator for large scale rescues of hundreds of ferrets, including the
Fredonia rescue, and most recently, the 264 ferrets rescued from Utah last
September. These rescues take a massive amount of time, money and
coordination.
Troy Lynn is also an expert in rabies in ferrets. In the days when ferrets
were routinely euthanized for biting or scratching someone, she helped
collect and disseminate information on rabies-shedding and bite data for
ferrets. She has served as an expert in animal cruelty cases.
Troy Lynn has served as a mentor, friend and consultant for many shelter
operators and ferret owners. Her infinite reserves of compassion and caring
are for all living things.
I ask you to join me and the other members of the International Ferret
Symposium Committee in thanking these people for their contributions. The
awards will be presented at the Ferret 2002 symposium in Las Vegas next
month. Hope to see you there!
Linda Iroff
Randy Belair
Judy Cooke
Bill Gruber
Shelby Kimura