getting involved:

Business Opportunities

FRES offers the following opportunities for businesses that want to become involved in their community.  Contact FRES for further details.

  Become a member discount partner
FRES has united with several Calgary and area businesses to provide its members with great discounts on everything from ferret litter to car washes!  Join our growing list of member discount partners today!

  Become a corporate member
For the low annual cost of only $45, your company and your company's employees will receive the following benefits aimed to:

• enhance your company's visibility in print, online, and in person
• allow your company to profit from our relationship
• provide your employees with community oriented opportunities

Receive:

• a free business card advertisement in every issue of our quarterly newsletter for 1 year
• a corporate member certificate
• a corporate copy of our quarterly newsletter
• recognition on the sponsors page of our website
• a link to your company's website from our website
• first sponsorship opportunities at FRES events
• 1/2 price membership for all company employees for duration of the corporate membership
• all benefits of FRES membership for company employees with their own personal memberships
  

  Sponsor
There are a number of sponsorship opportunities available; find one to suit your business.

• Foster Program
  While in foster care, FRES pays for all of the basic needs such as food and liter as well as all veterinary costs.  Sponsor our foster program.

• Veterinary Costs
  Veterinary costs are our biggest annual expense, but an expense that cannot be spared.  Sponsor a particular foster ferret or direct your sponsorship towards our Society veterinarian.

• Advertising
  Various advertising campaigns have been investigated and look quite promising.  Unite with FRES to share advertising space and reach a wider range of potential customers.

• Education
  FRES offers ferret care workshops for pet store employees and information tables for ferret owners.  With increasing support from pet stores, more information tables are required. Sponsor our education endeavors.

• Merchandise Development and Purchases
  FRES makes a portion of its profits from merchandise sales, and we have worked diligently to create a large and diverse range of products for both ferrets and their owners.  The initial costs of these items can be quite costly.

• Custom Sponsorship
  FRES may be able to customize a sponsorship opportunity for your company that highlights your company's scope of business.

Make A Donation

"If you can't have one in your home, have one in your heart."

Many of the funds raised by FRES are used to cover our high veterinary costs.   Upon request, a tax deductible receipt will be issued for all donations of $20 or more.

Choose any of the following means to make a donation:

  Mail a cheque to:
        FRES
        Box 159, 204 1440 52 Street NE
        Calgary AB  T2A 4T8

  Email FRES or phone us at (403) 567-3737 to arrange to make a credit card
     donation. Do not email credit card numbers.

  Make a donation directly to our veterinarian by mailing funds to:
        FRES donation
        c/o McKnight 24 Hour Veterinary Hospital
        34 5010 4 Street NE
        Calgary AB  T2K 5X8

If you would prefer to donate much needed supplies, please click here to see our wish list.

Volunteer

The success of our organization depends on the dedication and hard work of our volunteers.  As such, a volunteer spotlight appears in every newsletter, and the names of our volunteers are entered into regular prize draws.

The following volunteer opportunities are currently available.

Foster Family
FRES relies on the love and compassion of foster families to care for the ferrets rescued by, or surrendered to, our organization.  Potential foster families must go through the same screening process as our potential adopters with the added requirement of becoming a member.  Our foster families are varied in their experience with ferrets and FRES will match a foster ferret to your experience. Being a foster family is a 24/7 job.  Sometimes it is heartbreaking, but the joy of seeing a ferret recover from an illness, play and "dook" for the first time, or begin to trust humans is the ultimate reward of fostering.

Our approved foster families are responsible for:

• caring for the foster ferret as you would your own

• asking questions if you are unsure about any information related to ferrets, the foster ferret(s), or the Society

• informing FRES of any medical problems/illnesses that arise during the fostering period

• transporting the foster ferret(s) to and from their veterinary appointments as well as notifying FRES if the appointment needs to be cancelled and re-scheduled

• informing FRES when you begin to run low on any of the supplies we have provided for the ferret(s)

• informing FRES if you are interested in adopting your foster ferret(s) as soon as you have made the decision

• informing FRES if you are going out of town so alternate fostering arrangements can be made

• fostering the ferret until the time of adoption (any exceptions are to be discussed with a FRES representative)

• use the consumable supplies we have provided for FRES ferrets only

FRES is responsible for:

• providing the foster ferret(s) with all basic supplies necessary to care for a ferret

• bringing supplies to the foster home when we are notified that supplies are low

• booking veterinary appointments for the foster ferret(s) as needed

• addressing any of the foster family concerns about the foster ferret(s)

• asking if you are interested in adopting your foster ferret(s) before allowing other potential adopters to view the ferret(s)

• actively working towards finding the foster ferret(s) a loving, safe adoptive home if the foster family is not interested in adopting

If you would like to join the FRES foster team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Education Assistant
Work with experienced volunteers to educate pet store clientele about our Society, ferrets, and care required when owning a ferret.  Work at various pet stores throughout the city if desired or those closest to your home.  You must be comfortable working and interacting with ferrets and the general public, be able to act in a professional manner, and be attentive to those approaching our booth.  Dress is casual.

If you would like to join the FRES foster team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Hotline Assistant
This is one of our more time intensive volunteer positions.  Our hotline assistants are the frontline of FRES.  They are responsible for checking our hotline on their assigned days of the week, returning the calls of potential foster families and adopters, completing pre-screen questionnaires with them, and passing the completed forms to the adoption coordinators.  They are also responsible for redirecting other calls to the appropriate individuals within the Society.  Casual hotline assistants are also required for holiday cover.

If you would like to join the FRES volunteer team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

In-Home Assistants
Inspect homes of potential adopters to ensure it is ferret proofed, and to provide ferret proofing tips.  See the FRES adoption process for more information about in-home assessments.  A vehicle is required. 

If you would like to join the FRES volunteer team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Event Assistant
To pull off a smoothly run event FRES has volunteers pre-assigned to cover all the areas for that particular event.  Depending on the event, there are volunteer positions at the admission, merchandise, and raffle tables, game judges, photographers, gophers, greeters, and much more!

If you would like to join the FRES volunteer team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Newsletter Committee
Do you have a great eye for detail and above average spelling and grammar skills?  Perhaps proofing our newsletter is the job for you.  Maybe you are an excellent writer and can contribute some exciting articles to our newsletter.  Or maybe you have speed and manual dexterity to stuff the envelopes, slap the labels on, and get the newsletters on their way to our awaiting members!  Teamwork is the key when it comes to our quarterly newsletter, The Raisin Report!

If you would like to join the FRES volunteer team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Product Analyst - Research & Development Team
FRES volunteers have worked diligently to develop their large range of merchandise but new ideas are always welcome.  Product Analysts will be responsible for seeking out new and feasible merchandise ideas, corresponding with external liaisons, if necessary, to obtain supplier information, and presenting the ideas to the Board for budget approval.  In some cases, the product analysts will also be responsible for finding crafty volunteers to make the merchandise or packaging the merchandise for sale.

If you would like to join the FRES volunteer team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Graphic Design
A number of graphic design tasks are always available.  These tasks include, but are not limited to, the creation of graphics for our website, literature, and events, creating event posters, and bringing the ideas of our product analysts to life.

If you would like to join the FRES volunteer team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Ferret Sitters
Ferret owners going on vacation need experienced ferret sitters.  Ferret sitting is not a FRES supported venture, but is an agreement between the ferret owner and ferret sitter.  FRES' involvement is limited to placing those in need of a sitter with those willing to offer this service.  FRES does have a ferret sitting contract available but details need to be negotiated between the participating parties.  

If you would like to join the FRES ferret sitter list, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Sponsorship Assistant
As part of a team, you will help to increase member discount locations, event donations, and corporate sponsorship.  If you would like to work from home and have access to the Internet, you can be involved in finding and gathering information on different grants for which FRES can apply.

If you would like to join the FRES volunteer team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.

Flyer Carriers
Need some fresh air or a good, long walk?  FRES is looking for individuals to distribute flyers in their area.  Flyers are provided for distribution.  This is a great volunteer opportunity for kids who want to get involved and help FRES with their advertising.

If you would like to join the FRES volunteer team, please email volunteers@ferrets.ca.