>From:    TwoSpooky <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Need HELP!! with local humane society
>I'm absolutely livid over this -- I just learned that my local humane
>society animal shelter (Lincoln, NE) does NOT adopt out ferrets.  They just
>euthanize them if their owners don't reclaim them. [snip]
 
Welcome to the wonderful world of misunderstood ferrets.  You aren't the
first person to complain about the misconceptions, and you won't be the
last, either.  Several folk, through unremitting effort, have persuaded
their local shelters to release the ferrets to them.  It *can* be done, but
don't expect bureaucratic change to come swiftly or easily, especially when
ferrets are the subject.  In your particular case, though, with no bite
victim involved - if rabies is a genuine concern then a 30-day quarantine
for asymptomatic, or 14-day for symptomatic, will reveal whether the ferret
is rabid.  Ferrets don't contract rabies often, but when they do it kills
them quickly.
 
>I really need to know what the quarantine time is for rabies in ferrets from
>someone with nifty-sounding credentials.  Has it been definitively
>established?  If not, what's a reasonable period of time?
 
I don't have any "nifty-sounding credentials," but those who do will tell
you that a quarantine period for ferrets has not been officially
established.  Most of the studies done in the past are lightly regarded by
the powers that be, that is, the Nat'l Assn of State Public Health Vets, the
Centers for Disease Control, and the Compendium.  The series of studies
currently in progress is designed to remove all doubt.  Results of the
latest raccoon strain are due in Feb '97.
 
Most informed, reasonable people would agree that a 10-day quarantine is
more than enough. Unfortunately, public health officials aren't always
reasonable or informed.
 
For more info, browse the "Independent Voice" website:
 
http://www.acmeferret.com/voice/
 
BIG, I assume it's ok to include a publicly promoted website?  [Yes.  BIG]
 
swamp
 
"Who, me officer? What's a ferut? These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
[Posted in FML issue 1797]