I have been bombarded with emails on how to--
 
FIRST thing I will instruct evreyuone who wants to effect a change in kits
age of sale- CONTACT the sttae capitol where you live- Law Library- FInd
out what the RSA is which deasl with age of sale of puppies & kittens- I
will bet it ranges from 8 - 12 weeks
 
That is the RSA that you will want to amend for ferrets-- bring the
ferrets in at the same age of sale that puppies & kittens are.
 
It is a reasonable approach-- Be diplomatic.  DO NOT rant, rave, etc.
It is emotional enough for the reps to see documentation on prolapses,
eye infections, malnourishment, etc.  YOUR photos do the work for you.
Carefully document at lease a few cases - and have vets who will send
signed statements supporting the new age limitations.  Make sure you
Align yourselves with other effective positive animal groups in the state
( breeders associations, etc.) they fare better than shelter reps.) so
they can vouch for your reasonable bill amendment.  Expert testimonies
( when you get there)- would be from folks that bough a kit too young that
perished-- the great statement to offer them is the pet shop will offer
replacement- or refund-(- but it is NOT acceptable with a living being!).
Also your shelter caretakers who have been contacted by pet shops and
nursed these ferrets will be expert witnesses.
 
You will need to carefully have cases documented with early age kit deals
associated with pet shop sales.  vet statements, photos etc.  But it is a
reasonable bill -- ferrets were not always sold early as they are now--
you can reverse the trend for healthier pets!  It takes time-- BUT is can
be accomplished!
 
Please work together state by state do not have 3-4 groups attempting to
do the same thing!  USe the FML to centralize your efforts!  - you need
to designate your state folks and all work together-- soon it will be
unanimous!
 
Alicia
 
[Moderator's note: The climate may be good for this legislation.  A day or
two ago the U.S. Senate approved an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act
which helps to protect dogs from exploitation by commercial dog breeding
operations.  Well, OK, many people think it didn't go far enough, but
successes in this area are often measured in small steps.  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 3693]