On the GCFA show and the ECE threat:
    As GCFA show director and registrar, I see no reason to throw up a red
flag just because ferret owners from the east will be attending the show.
Firstly, the good folks out east are no less careful with their pets than
anyone else. If anything, this mess has made them MORE careful and less likely
to do anything that would spread this malady eleswhere.
It should be pointed out that (1) all major airline carriers REQUIRE a
certificate of health  for every animal when they fly. (2) Moreover, the GCFA
requires a similar safeguard before allowing ferrets to enter the show hall.
Any animal showing signs of any communicable disease will be refused entry to
the show hall. Dr. Susan Brown, our veterinary advisor, will oversee all
admissions to assure that no ferret exhibiting signs of illness will get past
"Checkpoint Able".
     I, personally will have four of my eight ferrets entered in the show. I
would not enter even one if I felt that they would either catch or carry a
killer virus home.
The greenies we've been seeing here have only been a threat to the older or
otherwise infirmed ferrets. Our losses, though regretable, have been small
compared to the losses of 2 years ago. We will still be holding the Geriatric
and Handicapped classes of judging. If you feel that your ferret is to
immunologically weak to fend off an illness, for his sake, leave him home.
  This show has all the indications of being our greatest and largest to date.
Early registrations seem to back this up, especially from Michigan.
If you'd like an application,  leave me e-mail or write
 
GCFA
P.O. Box 7093
Westchester, IL 60154-7093
 
Roger McMillian, Director & Registrar
Greatest Ferret Show on Earth #7
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[Posted in FML issue 1256]