- About HOFA -

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HOFA owes its humble beginnings to Scarlett Gray Saling who decided she was up to the task of creating a ferret rescue organization back in 1996. She had already been involved in ferret rescues the year prior and by this time had four years experience raising ferrets of her own. Scarlett was the club's president from its conception until 2001. Early in the club's existence there was very little income to manage the rescues and much of the operating expenses were paid with Scarlett's personal funds. HOFA eventually registered as a 501(c)(3) and started to realize some income through membership dues and sponsoring the Buckeye Ferret Bash. Today, HOFA is a thriving club under an all new operating board of trustees with Julie Dyke at the helm as Club President. Scarlett is still very much involved in the organization and takes pride in the efforts Julie has made to help the club prosper. Scarlett recently said of Julie, "She is keeping my dream alive".

In the fall of 2007 a large scale rescue was carried out at the ferretry of Douglas McKay in Marengo, Ohio. People from all over the United States volunteered countless hours and donated huge sums of supplies and money to the rescue. HOFA was there as well and provided the bulk of the manpower through the initial rescue effort to remove the ferrets from the McKay property. HOFA continued assisting in the rescue until all ferrets were out of the initial rescue zone and placed with independent rescues and or private individuals.

HOFA is committed to being the premier rescue organization where ferret enthusiast can find education, information, advice, friendship, competition and camaraderie.

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HOFA's Mission Statement:

• To educate and provide up-to-date information and support to ferret owners, pet stores, humane societies, veterinarians and the general public.
• To promote the domestic ferret as a companion animal while encouraging responsible ferret ownership.
• To provide ferret shelter and rescue services.
• HOFA Rescue members and guest speakers share the latest facts on quality ferret care, housing, health tips, nutrition, behavioral management, research data, rescue shelters, vets who are experienced in ferret medicine and ferret products through newsletters, ferret shows, meetings, seminars, and clinics.

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Committee Definitions

MEMBERSHIP:

Actively promote the club, send out monthly meeting notices, maintains the membership database, welcomes new members, and general mailings. Gets notices of meetings out to pet stores, FML, newspapers, and other established areas via email, PSA’s and flyers. Distributes an updated membership list and sends out notices of renewal to members.

EDUCATION:

Actively contacting pet stores, vets, humane societies, schools, and general public for educational purposes and fund raising events. (i.e. speaking engagements, clinics, fun events, ferret awareness days).

HEALTH:

Copy, distribute, research and maintain a supply of informational materials used for show tables, ferret awareness days, and other educational opportunities.

BREEDER COMMITTEE:

Establish and maintain a central Ohio breeder’s database of all club members and their ferrets involved in breeding. Establish and monitor breeding standards of club members.

SHELTER COMMITTEE:

Maintains a listing of all shelter ferrets available for adoption. Sends reports to webmaster and newsletter editor. Works with Education / Health to get out information on existence of HOFA to the general public, various websites, vets and humane societies.

WEBSITE COMMITTEE:

Maintain HOFA website for all current events and club information that needs to be accessible to the general public by means if the internet.

EVENT COORDINATOR COMMITTEE:

Plan all profit and non-profit events for the Club throughout the year. This may include Ferret Buckeye Bash, Pet Expo, Comfest, and others. May work closely with the Health/Education Chair in planning Ferret Awareness’s.