Hi All,
 
First off, if you have sent me email and I haven't responded, I probably
haven't gotten it.  I have been having EXTREME problems getting onto the
server at school, getting mail in and such.  I know I haven't received
several pieces of mail from talking to folks.
 
Second, I have been so sick.  whine, whine.  I have the *(&^ flu and have a
test Wednesday and another on Thursday.  I have a fever aches and pains and
just don't feel good.  And unfortunately, I think some of the ferrets might
have it.  I don't have any live in folks to help me out.  Sigh.
 
And now for something completely different:
 
I wanted to try and clarify a couple of things I was trying to say about the
legalization efforts.
 
I am not denying that horses can have rabies nor the fact that they aren't
required to be vaccinated.  What I am talking about is if this paticular
issue is relevant.  And on that, I don't think it is.
 
Why?  Well, like I was trying unsuccessfully to say, horses are herbivores
and ferrets are carnivores.  These names have symbolic meaning to most
folks, especially those not paticularly familiar with either.
 
What do you think of when you think horse?  Something to ride, kids, Mr. Ed?
Do you ever associate them with rabies?  Or cattle?  Or pigs?  I don't know,
but would assume all have the possibility of spreading rabies.
 
Now take this and think what another person might think if you use this
arguement for quarantine periods in ferrets.  Don't you think it may be
"What?  You're kidding right?" That is what I am concerned with.
 
Look at ferrets.  People associate carnivores with teeth and biting.  All of
them.  Ferrets are associated with weasels, minks, skunks.  What kind of
image did you have of these other animals before you knew ferrets?  Not
necessarily a positive one I bet.
 
There are facts and figures enough to argue for quarantine.  There is proof
enough of domestication, as Robert Church so recently pointed out.
Physiological as well as behavioral changes.  But what everyone is really
fighting is this giant misconception about what ferrets are and how they
act.  It isn't about the science end, it is about the symbolic meaning of
ferrets in the general population.
 
If you want to use comparitive quarantines, stick to animals that have some
of the same very general symbolic meanings as ferrets.  Carnivores.  Cats,
dogs, etc.
 
There are all kinds of animals, pets and livestock both, which are not
regulated under rabies laws.  Rodents of all kinds (guinea pigs, rats,
hamsters) but folks don't generally think of this animals as a health
hazard.  But think about pit bulls, Rottweillers, Dobermans, Sheperds and
folks think possible aggresive and biting, rabies, disease.  There is an
association there.  And because of that association, I think the ferret
community would be best served by sticking to examples that are more closely
related to the issue at hand, ferrets.
 
What I am afraid of is that if random arguements are thrown out, even in
this forum, it will look bad for us.  We know the "other side" reads this,
we need to keep this ever present in our minds and act accordingly.
 
I am not taking issue with anyone's believes or questioning their
motives. It is a very emotional issue which needs to be approached from
a non-emotional stance.
 
Maggie
[Posted in FML issue 2074]