Your state public health vet is recommending quarantine, but due to the way
your state rules and regs are written legislation is needed because the
recommendation carries only as much weight as the local officers let it.
(This is not the case in many states.) The only ones who have taken up the
call to pursue state legislation in N.Y.S. are Sharon and her group who
quickly realized that they needed someone with the right political contacts
and clout.  They mentioned to Marshall Farms the logic of that company
pursuing this issue, and Pete Reid of Marshall has begun the work, with
information help from the AFA (He asked who could provide information for
their sponsoring legislators and I directed him and his company to contact
them.)  I have no idea how long this process will be; it differs state by
state.  Sharon is sure to post updates and let you know when to contact your
representatives so watch here for her comments!  Meanwhile, it never hurts
to educate those who represent you, and to get data to your local health
departments, shelters, etc.  so they will be informed and less likely to
kill.
 
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of working to save ferrets from
needless death is that so many were happy to scream their outrage about
ferrets who were lost or almost lost, but how many of those people have even
sent copies of the 1998 Compendium of Animal Rabies Control (available from
the AVMA website, STAR Ferrets, and the AFA) to even just their local health
departments?  The ferrets you save might be your own!
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2299]