Hello Everyone!
 
Planned Ferrethood has received many questions, concerns, and suggestions
from the ferret community over these past few weeks since we mailed our
registration packet.  As you might suspect, most of the discussion focused
on our manditory ADV testing policy.
 
We wish to thank those who talked with us directly as those suggestions,
feelings, and concerns are what guided us in our attempt to keep the ferret
community happy while still addressing our concerns about ADV.  This is a
work in progress in which everyone's feedback matters - both good and bad.
 
While we wish we had logical and conclusive answers to everything, this is
a new challenge, and we have no one but ourselves to rely on for advice.
We're doing our best to make the show as safe as possible and still make
it reasonable for the ferret community.
 
First, I would like to address just how alarming ADV can be.  As I'm sure
you've heard, Aleutian Disease is a highly contagious and devastating
disease that is upsetting and puzzling the ferret community.  For an ADV
reality check, visit:
 
http://www.geocities.com/russiansmom/faces/index.html
 
This website shows the faces of ADV - what ferrets suffering with the
disease look like.  There are some pretty sad "after" ADV pictures.  You'll
see that many of the ADV+ ferrets look exactly like yours and mine; it's
not a visible or obvious disease until it's too late.  This is one reason
why testing is so important.  Once signs of ADV are evident, ferrets
deteriorate quickly.
 
We are in no way experts on ADV.  What scares us most is that no one can
give a certain answer as to how this disease is spread - why it is spread -
or when it is spread.  Conflicting cases arise all the time where one
member of a large business tests positive, but none of the others ever do.
There are cases where one single ferret caged alone ends up with ADV and
passes the disease along despite having little or no contact with other
ferrets.  The disease is possibly airborne, and is definitely present in
urine, blood, and saliva.  There is no vaccine, no cure, and no specific
rhyme or reason as to how this disease is spread.  There are risks whenever
we handle other people's ferrets, take our ferrets anywhere, etc.  The only
way that we as owners can attempt to slow or stop the spread of ADV is to
test, retest, and be informed.
 
Over the past few weeks, we at Planned Ferrethood have been contacted by
many of you within the ferret community, and you've expressed concern about
the mandatory ADV testing at the door.  The intension of this letter is to
address manyof these concerns to help ease the minds of those who feel they
are being singled out.
 
ISSUE #1 - "I don't want to spend MORE money to test my ferrets on top of
the registration fees."
 
Some people have expressed distaste for the added cost of the ADV testing
for the show.  Due to our recent change with our ADV testing policy,
exhibitors now have two options for showing their ferrets at Planned
Ferrethood's show on June 16th:
1. You can have your ferrets tested at the door for $10/ferret.
2. You can bring your original test results to the show hall.  These
   results MUST be dated no more than 30 days prior to the show and must
   be the original documents received by Avecon or United including the
   ferret's name(s), ADV status, date the test was completed, and signature
   of the diagnostic technician.
 
Shows are fun, educational, and great fundraisers for shelters, clubs, and
other organizations.  Unfortunately, shows are a risky way for ADV to be
spread.  Ethically, knowing full well how risky they are, how can we
continue to have shows in good conscience?  We're trying to develop a way
to do that - testing requirments.  We knew that we would get a lot of grief
for this and that many people would decide not to come to our show.  We
know that those who do come will most likely bring fewer ferrets and enter
fewer rings due to the cost of testing.  This means less money in the
shelter's pocket as a result.
 
Dr Stephon of Avecon, the developer of the Elisa test charges $15 per
instant test plus shipping if you wish to do this at home.  He was gracious
enough to charge the shelter $10 per test for the show testing.  This is
what is being charged to you - only to cover the cost of the test.  As
ethical show directors, we are willing to move forth with this knowing
full well that we will lose hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in
registration fees in order to provide a safer environment for everyone
involved.
 
If you opt to test the night before or the morning of the show, please
remember that the cost for testing is PER FERRET entered in the show - not
per ring entered.  Instead of showing 5 ferrets in 5 separate rings at
the show, take along two ferrets, pay for the ADV test and show those two
in five rings.  Or show your ferrets in fewer rings and feel good about
knowing that they are safer and that you are contributing to a more
responsible show atmosphere.
 
Issue #2 - "I've already paid to test my ferrets once, and I have the
documentation.  Why isn't this enough?"
 
Unfortunately, with ADV, the results can change over time.  For example, if
you tested your ferret Jack in January, 2001, and Jack came back negative,
that's great!  But then in February you took Jack to a ferret show, and
then in March, Jack went to a Ferret Awareness Day and then to another
show, Jack could have possibly been exposed.  The only way to know is to
retest.  It's wonderful that Jack tested negative in January, but assuming
that, because he was negative in January, he will still be negative in June
for another ferret show is not an accurate assumption.
 
Remember too that any testing completed no more than 30 days prior to our
show will be accepted in place of the-site testing.
 
Issue #3 - "Some people think that the mandatory ADV testing policy is a
punishment or a way to keep certain individuals out of the show."
 
[From the registrar] I personally have only been involved in the ferret
world for two years now.  Because I am rather new to this community, I
do not have a full understanding of the politics and prejudices that
are present here.  I have received some pretty emotional emails from
individuals who are taking this policy personally, and one person has even
demanded her money back for tables she reserved.  I understand that there
is hurt present here that is still very raw.
 
But there is a MUCH bigger picture to look at.  Mandatory ADV testing is
something that has been discussed for sometime now.  Just as rabies and
distemper vaccinations are now mandatory for shows, hopefully ADV testing
will be as well someday.  When Dr Stephon developed the instant saliva
test, many organizations and individuals were thrilled.  On paper, it
sounded like a great idea to put into action.  No one seems willing to take
the risk of putting it into play though.  We have decided to try, and we
need your support.
 
The show directors have created this policy make the show as safe as
possible, not just for us, not just for our shelter, but also for YOU,
for all of the attendees of the show.
 
Issue #4 - What is this "Instant Test"?  I don't want to stress my ferret
out just before a show!"
 
Dr Stephon of Avecon Diagnostics has developed the Instant Test.  It looks
similar to an instant pregnancy test.  A cotton swab is placed in the
ferret's mouth, and the gums are swabbed for 60 seconds.  This is the
extent of your ferret's involvement in the testing process.  The specimen
is then placed into a vial with 1ml of saline solution and swirled for 60
seconds.  The liquid is then placed onto the test strip.  One line means
negative; two lines mean positive.  Results develop within 10 minutes.
 
I've tested my group of 12 with the saliva test and found the gum swabbing
to be simpler than ear cleaning and certainly less stressful.
 
Issue #5 - What if I test at the show and my ferret tests positive?
 
In the sad event that anyone's ferret tests positive, we will have two
individuals on hand to provide counseling and advice to that person.  These
two have firsthand experience with owning ferrets with ADV.  They will be
on hand as well to talk about precautions that owners should take and what
to do next.
 
If someone does test positive, registration fees will be refunded to the
owner.
 
If you opt for at-the-show testing the following protocol applies :
 
In your show packet, you were given a choice of testing on either Friday
night (at the hotel before the show) or Saturday morning at the show.  Send
your registration packet to the registrar and you will receive confirmation
verifying your ferrets entered.  At that time you will also receive a test
appointment time slot if you've selected Friday night testing.  If you've
selected Saturday morning testing, then you will report to the show hall
and proceed through vet check as normal.
 
If you opt for the Friday night testing:
This testing will take place privately - no one but the test administrator
and the owner with his/her ferrets will be present.  No one but the
individual and the test administrator will know the results.  Once results
have been given, you will receive an official form from Avecon stating your
ferrets' name(s) , the result (s) , and the date.  Someone will be on hand
to counsel in the unfortunate circumstance of a positive outcome.
 
If you opt for the Saturday Show testing:
When you arrive at the vet check, you will be taken to the ADV testing
area.  This is a PRIVATE area in which no one will see you or your ferrets
getting tested or what the results are.  The only person who will know the
outcome of the test again, is the test administrator and the owner.
 
Unfortunately, if a ferret does test positive for ADV, the ferret will have
to leave the premises.  The owner is welcome to return to the show hall
once he/she returns from taking the ferret home if he/she chooses.  It
will be as discrete as possible and you will be treated with dignity and
compassion.  Obviously, the Friday night testing or bringing your original
documentation completed within 30 days of the show will be more private.
 
Issue #6 - "You're saying that all ferrets being shown must be tested.
What about the ferrets for sale and adoption?  Why don't they need to be
tested?"
 
Planned Ferrethood strongly recommends that ALL ferrets entering the show
hall should be tested, however the ferrets at greatest risk are those being
handled by the judges and being carried about the show hall to and from
rings.  Before adopting or purchasing a ferret from anyone, the purchaser
should request proof of ADV negative status.  We are hoping that shelters
and breeders wishing to sell kits and adults to the public will have tested
their animals in advance of the show.  You as a consumer are welcome to
demand it.
 
We want this show to be a success - yes for the shelter - but mostly for
the attendees.  As the registrar, my sole purpose in being involved with
the show is to put as much information as possible out there for the
taking.
 
If you're interested in registering for our show or would like more
information on our show, you will find registration, sponsorship, and
donation forms at
<http://www.ferretrescue.com/westmore/show2001.htm>
 
We'd also like to remind you that we have extended our early bird pricing
rates thru May 16th.  If entries are postmarked on or before May 16th,
early bird pricing applies.
 
In closing, we'd like to remind you that we would LOVE some feedback from
you.  If you have any questions, concerns or points to make, feel free to
email or call any of us privately.
 
Lisa Shortley
Planned Ferrethood Show Registrar
Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 412-492-9973
 
Chris and Tara Palaski
Planned Ferrethood Shelter Directors and Show Coordinators
Email: [log in to unmask]
724-853-0920
 
Erin Simkins
Planned Ferrethood Publicity Coordinator
[log in to unmask]
330-637-0645
[Posted in FML issue 3407]