Since there have been questions as to what the Morris Animal Foundation is
and does: it is a long standing charitable foundation which has its
administrative costs paid for by an administration fund so 100% of donations
goes to helping animals of all kinds receive improved veterinary care, or
(as is the situation right now with ferrets for which the major US rabies
vector species (skunk, bat, raccoon, fox) have/are being studied) helps
reduce other needless deaths.  Right now we have a situation in which just
one state alone (Michigan) has sacrificed (strange word since I doubt those
ordering death sacrificed at all) in less than a year more ferrets for fear
of rabies than have been used in all the U.S.  and European rabies shedding
studies combined over many years.  Knowing the shedding times and
possibilities for the common strains of rabies will give ferret activists
and their legislators the ammunition to get quarantine times imposed instead
of sacrifice in a number of states.  Steve and I happen to live in one which
may well move to quarantine given the hard work of Ela, Anne, and all they
work with combined with the hard data these studies provide).  Will there
still be areas in which officials won't listen to reason?  Yes.  Still, in
many states they will and the current results being awaited ARE deemed
essential in those parts for saving many ferret lives since the strain now
being studied accounts for almost all the cases in humans in the U.S.;
therefore, this answer could get the legislation we need to eliminate death
for hundreds of ferrets each year in many states.  Because of it's potential
for saving a HUGE number of ferrets' lives this is considered by MAF to be a
priority study so it is also receiving some General Fund monies.  In the
past MAF has also funded or helped to fund studies of anemia and some
cancers in ferrets which have improved care for all our fuzzies, and I know
it will do so in the future as per a recent communication.  (We give to the
Ferret Fund there regularly in memory of FML ferrets which have died of any
causes.) You may reach them at 45 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO
80112-5480.  Please, note that the foundation does not do studies itself;
rather a panel of veterinarians selects studies in research facilities such
as veterinary program in universities for funding.
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2095]