I have sent the following e-mail to Senetor Bolling asking for relief to
shelters in the construct of SB-260 here in Virginia.
 
 Subject: SB-260
 Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 13:38:58 -0500
 From:  Aarrow Ranch Aviation <[log in to unmask]>
 To:  [log in to unmask]
 Sir:
 
In regards to changes and amendments to this and related legislation and
or law, I wish to comment on the issue.
 
For the most part this is aimed at Department of Agriculture and further
to dogs and cats.  Where this law may work fine possibly for Dogs and
Cats, this does not work well at all for shelters of Ferrets.
 
The State will fund capture and other needs of stray cats and dogs but
they do not support ferrets.  Ferret population is growing rapidly and
also is the shelter needs.  THese shelters of Ferrets do not get support
from the State nor will the local or other shelters of Dogs and Cats
support or take in ferrets.  Yet when a call comes for the need of a
ferret capture or rescue, the shelter is called to do the work and again
with no support from any government agency.
 
I know of no fewer than 6 ferret shelters in Virginia, some with more
than 100 animals in their possession.  Any legislation that will hinder
or cost monet of these home shelters would be most disasterous to the
operation of these kind people and the care of these wonderful animals.
Where these shelters get no State or government support of any kind nor
will any such support seem likely to happen in the near future and that
these shelters operate soly on donations, some fees on adoption, and
mostly out of pocket expense payment I ask you to fully support any
action to SB-260 and any related legislation to not hinder or produce
cost to any of these home ferret shelters.
 
I have personally visited most of the shelters in Virginia.  Each is
clean, well maintained, and the animals are in good loving care.  The
vets do work at much reduced cost and fully support these shelters at
their own expense and again at greatly reduced cost to the shelter.
 
People today are most irresponsible when taking possession of a pet.
A much better law would be to curtail the ease of possession of some
animals that require special care as does a ferret.  Other unique and
exotic animal do require such control and I would be most pleased to
have the Ferret added to such a list to releive the suffering of so many
animals.  I can relate to you horror stories of how some animals have
been treated, but will spare you unless you wish to hear.  I do ask you
to call and visit a home shelter of ferrets to get a firm first hand
understanding of what these people are up against when further
legislation is introduced that includes them in the same light as would
be a dog or cat that can be taken care of otherwise by state and or
county funded animal control functions that ferrets are not included in.
 
Please culture the laws to make it easy for the home Ferret shelter to
continue to operate.  We need them where they provide a much needed care
for the ferret as well as a public service.  Feel free to contact me if
you have any questions or any comments to offer.
 
Thank you.
 
J. Gordon Bengtson
7302 Hunterbrook Drive
Mechanicsville, Va. 23111
804 730 4035
[Posted in FML issue 3995]