MaFF regularly has a presence at area pet stores to educate people about ferrets and promote the idea of adopting from shelters rather than buying kits. These are always in our event listing here on the web site. Anyone who would like to meet a MaFF member and chat about ferrets is welcome to show up. We are also looking for knowledgable members to help staff these events. If you are willing to help, please contact president@maferrets.org for more information.

If you are running such an event, here are some pointers. Show up early, as it takes a while to get everything arranged and mid-day is often the busiest time. When you arrive, ask the store manager if you can set up near the front of the store, rather than back next to their ferret display. The store usually provides a table and two chairs. We bring everything else. Once everything is set up, be engaging! Talk to people. Carry a ferret and you will get more attention. Encourage people to join our mailing list. Bring nail clippers, cotton swabs, etc so that you can demonstrate cleaning of ears and teeth plus nail trimming if asked.

Most stores will not allow us to sell anything. So we don't bring T-shirts or other goods. We do accept donations, though do not make a big deal about asking for them.

If possible, bring 2-3 adoptable ferrets. If no adoptables are easily available, consider bringing a few of your personal ferrets who are good with strangers (no biters). Only bring ferrets who are in good health and current on their vaccinations. As these ferrets will be in place frequented by dogs and other animals, it is a good idea to make sure your ferrets are on a flea/tick/mite preventative such as Revolution. Bring a small play pen, a bed and a few toys to occupy them for a few hours. And any time you take ferrets away from home, bring a bag with leashes, food, water bowl, extra bedding, paper towels and sanitizer for cleaning up messes, and a copy of their vaccination papers. If you are unable to bring any ferrets, ask the store manager if you can set up by the store ferrets and just be engaging with anyone that walks by.

Things to bring:

• 2-3 Ferrets in carrier with travel bag
• Small Play Pen
• Ferret Toys
• Vinyl MaFF sign, with binder clips to attach to table or play pen
• Mailing list sign-up page on clipboard with pen
• Nail clippers
• Cotton swabs
• Ear cleaning solution (hydrogen peroxide or commercial preparation)
• Ferret tooth brush & tooth paste
• Ferretone and/or FerretVite
• Drinks/snacks for yourself
• Printed literature to hand out (see below)

• A Lifetime's Commitment. Print this on pastel green paper, three sheets front and back and fold in half. Front side PDF, Back side PDF, PDF in normal order for reading, not printing
• So You're Planning to Adopt. Print this on pastel yellow paper, front and back then fold in thirds. PDF
• A Brief History of MaFF. Print this on pastel blue paper, front and back then fold in thirds. PDF
• MaFF Vet List. Print this on pastel pink paper, front and back then fold in thirds. PDF
• Sign Language for Deaf Ferrets. Print this on goldenrod (pastel orange) paper. PDF
• Latest Newsletter. See www.maferrets.org/fuzzy/index.html
• Frolic Posters. If we've started advertising this year's big event, then bring posters for it. PDF
• Business cards. Several MaFF members have boxes of MaFF cards. Ask to get a supply of these to hand out.

Here's a packing list to make sure you don't forget anything.