There is still time to submit your comments to the USDA on developing
ferret specific regulations under the Animal Welfare Act!  The AWA was
passed by Congress in 1966 to protect not only pets, but also animals
used in research.  It has been amended several times, mostly to provide
extra protection for pets.  The regulations written by the USDA under
the authority of the AWA have also been amended several times.
 
Did you know that there are species specific regulations not just for
dogs and cats, but also for marine mammals, non-human primates, rabbits,
guinea pigs and hamsters?  If hamsters require specific care, certainly
ferrets do as well!
 
This may be the SINGLE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY the ferret community has ever
had to improve the life of the MOST ferrets!  It will affect EVERY ferret
that is bred at the large breeders in this country.  It will eliminate
the need to try to set minimum age of sale requirements in every state
(only two states have succeeded so far, New Hampshire and Maine).  It
will protect them at the farms and in transit to pet stores.  It will
also protect ferrets used in research.
 
And ALL you need to do is go to
http://www.regulations.gov, enter "ferret" in the keyword field,
click on submit, and click the Add Comments button on the right.  You can
type your comments directly into the comment field.  Or if you prefer,
you can create a file in Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, PowerPoint or any
of a dozen other formats and attach them with the click of a button.
 
We expect the pet industry will be submitting a barrage of last minutes
objections; let's outdo them!
 
For suggestions on what to write, go to
http://www.ferretcongress.org/USDA/USDA.html
 
Remember, the deadline is THIS FRIDAY, November 18!
 
Linda Iroff
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 5063]