Several months or so ago (December?) I was asked to talk to a scout group on
ferrets.  I called the Michigan bureacracy and after several forwards,
recalls etc.  I got through to the Dept that does this though I cant
remember if it was Health, Ag or who.  (I do still have the final phone
number though if anyone wants it).  The Stats I got on ferrets tested were:
   1994 - 7     No positives
   1995 - 91    No positives
   1996 - 114   No positives
I must say I was pretty shocked by the numbers - 114 seems like a lot to me.
 
I called my state rep's last Monday and am going to call again today.  I
also e-mailed Engler.
 
I realize everyone has different opinions on where the line is for "common
sense" but really the bite and kill thing for ferrets is so absurd.  The
rabies shots aren't as bad as they used to be and BTW did you know there is
a vaccination for rabies?  My vet has been vaccinated.  Dont know much about
it but didn't someone mention a vet tech down south somewhere who went to
court to have a ferret put down and tested?  Why wasn't she just vaccinated!
 
On the home front still have the rescue dog but am not sure I'm keeping him
yet.  The ferrets, particularly Giesela, are really threatened by him and
continue to try to (and sometimes succeed) bite him.  Giesela and sometimes
Boris sort of follow his feet around trying to bite while he circles.
Giesela also lunges at his face and has gotten in a nip on his nose.  The
dog gets escited when they're trying to play and tried to stop Boris from
running through the clear dryer tube by jumping and stomping on it with both
feet (he's 55 lbs).  He is really a good dog, interested but not lunging and
going wild at the sight of them, but never seems to be to concerned where
his feet are unless the ferrets are trying to bite them.  Otherwise he just
sort of tramples through them.  <sigh>
 
Best wishes to Kodo and Robert and Kitty
Mary
[Posted in FML issue 1932]