A Brief History:  Association and Shelter

The Educated Ferret Association was co-founded in 1997 by Donna Spirito and Barbaralee Baron.  Both were ferret owners and they celebrated the legalization of ferrets in Massachusetts in March of 1997.  Before the year was out they realized that as ferrets quickly sold out at pet stores, and became a "fad" pet, there was going to be a tremendous need for a support groups, information resources, and yes, a shelter for abandoned, abused, and unwanted ferrets.

Both women believed then, that education would be the key to fighting ignorance and mistreatment.  The Educated Ferret Association was founded along with F.E.R.R.A. (Ferret Education, Rehab, and Relocation Association) to function both as a way for ferret owners and lovers to come together to enjoy learning about ferrets and also as to work as a support system.

What The Educated Ferret Association does IS F.E.R.R.A. - Ferret Education, Rehab, and Relocation.  We have monthly meetings.  We also have meetings four times a year on a Saturday or Sunday at a different location so that out of town members are able to attend.  There is a free monthly newsletter published so members can keep in touch with events, stories, medical issues and ferret information.  We do education whenever invited in schools, libraries, pet stores and at events.  We Also do education at the shelter and rescue by appointment.  We would like to thank Petco for inviting us to do education and to have a bake sale each and every month!

We started out as a volunteer board in our first year, then in year two, we elected a board.  We look to our members to help out with shelter business, fund raising, educational material, bookkeeping and shelter & rescue maintenance.  We are now a board of six, with Donna Spirito as Rescue Director.  Donna coordinates the education, adoptions, surrenders, and pet visits.