Good news from Bean Town!  The ferret bill House Bill 295 has now moved out
of the Bills in the 3rd Reading and is going in front of the House of
Representatives on Monday, May 15 for a calendar date.
 
This is what should occur on Monday:  The clerk of each branch reads each
bill by title before any action is taken on it.  The clerk's staff records
the proceedings of each session.  Any member desiring to debate a specific
item on the Calendar calls out "pass" when the item is read by the clerk.
The item is then "passed" for debate.  After all non-controversial items are
disposed of, the "passed" items are taken up.
 
Debate on a bill may occur during the second and third readings.  The clerk
identifies the bill by title before debate is allowed to begin.  Following the
conclusion of debate, a vote is taken.
 
When a vote is taken on a bill, the presiding officer in each branch calls,
"all those in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. He or she then interprets the
consensus of the membership.  A member doubting that ruling may request a
standing vote or a roll call.  The latter is ordered if at least twenty
members of the House support it.  In the Senate, one-fifth of the members
must support the requst for a roll call.
 
Sorry for all the technobabble but this is the next procedure.  I hope your
not as confused as I am.
 
Right now we have the support of the following agencys in the state:
 
- Mass Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA)
- Animal Rescue League (ARL)
- Mass Veterinarys Association (MVA)
- Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
 
The only opposition we've uncovered is the Pet Store industry.
 
Their position is that they would like to amend the bill and make it okay for
ferrets to be sold in their stores.  This is what has killed the Mass bill
for the past 12 years.  The lobbyist for them does not seem to want to
compromise at all.
 
What do we need ALL of the MASS ferret owner/supporters to do:
 
l.  We have to contact our Mass State Reps. on Monday and ask them to support
this bill as is with no amendments! MSPCA Will not back us if it is amended
and the bill will be killed!
 
2.  We have to contact our Mass State Senators and tell them to please do the
same.
 
3.  We have to get our fliers out to all vet clinics,  pet stores (the ones
that will let us), and any other public places we can think of, i.e., donut
shops, 7-11 stores, local librarys, wherever you travel throughout your day.
 In order to obtain fliers, please send a self addressed stamped envelope to
:  MA Friends of the Domestic Ferret Group, PO Box 3123, Wakefield MA  01880.
 If you are apprehensive about revealing your mailing address, use a friends
or neighbors.  If we are to succeed it is important to get this done now!!
 
4.  Go into the local pet stores where you do business and talk to the owner
or manager about this bill, let them know that we realize their position but
lets get them legal first, it is easier to change an existing law than to get
one passed to begin with.  You could also target the pet stores that do not
sell live animals.  Point out to them that it hasn't gotten them anywhere for
12 years, also point out to them that they may lose you as a customer, (hit
them in the pocketbook) explain that the sale of the ferret would be a
one-time deal, they still have to eat, get grooming aids, etc.  Explain to
them that it really isn't fair that they feel it is okay to sell you ferret
supplies on the one hand, but on the other hand kind of say they want more
money from you as a customer for the animal.
 
5.  Call or go to your local vets clinic and have them also contact their
local reps. Point out it will be good for business for them.is  Have family
members, friends or co-workers do the same.
 
Please, it is now up to us. If this bill gets killed and does not pass this
year, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.  If we take this little
extra effort we will make it happen this year.
 
Looking forward to Governor Weld's signature on the bill to make it law. Once
that is done, we will have to organize a rally on the boston common with all
the ferrets in three cornered hats that will make guys like Thomas Jefferson
smile down on us!
 
FYI< I will try to be on the ferret chat line this Sat. evening at 10.
 Anyone who wishes please E-mail me direct for more info.
[Posted in FML issue 1193]