As you already know, I am exceedingly grateful to those who check in with
their own state public health veterinarians/epidemiologists at their
departments of health because, frankly I've got my plate full without having
to also call every single state and territory back after I get letters from
whichever ones send them.  Guess that when the next round of letter go out I
probably should attach a breakdown of replies received, and ask any state in
which there is new information to let me know.  (Yes, every single letter
HAS been going out with SASEs inside, and Diane Rogers is following up with
phone calls to those which clearly need follow-ups, but THERE IS NOTHING WE
CAN DO WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE THE POWER THAT A POLITE AND INFORMED PHONE
CALL ASKING FOR INFORMATION FROM A RESIDENT WILL HAVE.  Please, take the
time to check with your state, write down the name of the person and correct
address at the department of whomever is responsible for rabies quarantine
policy (or partly responsible when there is a committee) so that when that
book I am still waiting for arrives I will already know about any changes
for the next round of letters, and tell us what you have learned in case a
follow-up is needed.  I did our own follow-up-from-a-resident for N.J., BTW.
 
I've been told there is a copy of Michigan's new policy statement on their
letterhead out there but I haven't gotten anything form them.  Who has this?
I need a copy for the Morris Animal Foundation and for folks who are getting
copies for future distribution and use in efforts extensive efforts.
 
Here's another request.  Because I am collecting the policy statements which
have been sent I hear now and then about the status of legislation efforts
where those are also needed.  If you are involved in such a cause, PLEASE,
when possible take the time to copy progress reports to me since I have
begun getting a good number of information requests to which I have to say,
"Sorry, but I just don't know." If you let me know what is happening with
you efforts I could then pass on your info and tell the people that they
should contact you for current information in case things have changed since
the last report.
 
Is anyone doing a webpage with the policy and legislation info?  Kym?  Pam
T.?  Someone else on the state-letter list?  If none of those folks is
getting one in place, and someone else here wants to I'll try to track down
every page of excerpts from the individual state letters sent to the FML
(about time I cleaned my files anyway) and send them on.
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2188]