Well everyone, for the first time in 60 years, ferret owners here in MA were
finally able to take their ferrets out of their homes, out in the open.
What a glorious sight this was.
 
A group of us rallied at the state house today in Boston for a celebration
of Ferret Freedom Day.  THANKS to everyone who came and helped with the set
up and running the events.  I'd list everyone, but will probably forget
someone, so I don't want to slight any of you.
 
I would like to thank especially, Ronnie Dicomo for making those beautiful
banners!!!!  Lee McKee, the press releases, all last minute work,
coordinating the event, braving the "meter maids" while unloading your
truck, thanks Lee.  Jeff Tilton who wore a ferret costume borrowed from AFA
(thanks Jeff and AFA)!!!!  We sent Jeff up to the press office at 10:30 with
a press release.  Shortly after, Jeff came down with all the press people
behind him.  Looked kind of like the "Pied Piper".
 
Chuck Adler (Talk show host) came by, we were featured on his TV show again
Channel 68, he filmed the sit up contest which there was a tie, Jeff Tilton
and Jo Fowlers fuzzies one.
 
Forget that goofy groundhog, Pawksnatowney (sp) Phil, the MA Ferrets have
declared in a tube race that Bill Clinton will win the election against Bob
Dole, John Kerry will win the Senate against William Weld.  We have been
asked to do the "tube race" election outcome every year on April 1st.
 
Just a side note: Joan Bossart, Jan Pizzano, Lorraine Denicourt and myself
rode the train in from Wakefield.  As soon as people knew we had "ferrets"
in our carriers they just melted and got so receptive.  Heard things like
"Oh wow, ferrets", "I heard now they are legal", all positive things like
that.  I think that once people start taking their fuzzies out, the public
in general will be enlightened.  Just a warning, you will become a magnet to
people especially children.
 
We hopped into a cab at North Station.  The driver seemed a bit apprehensive
about having "cats" in his cab.  We explained to him they were not cats and
he agreed to take us to the stathouse.  Well, after 5 minutes with us four,
he was quite "educated" on fuzzies.  We have a new fan.
 
Today, March 7,1996 has been declared nationally as Ferret Freedom Day.  Many
of you know the reason for this, many do not.  This is an excerpt of our
story that Bill Williamson and myself have been working on:
 
JANS STORY
 
From January 90 to May of 91, I was a Dog Officer and Animal Inspector for
the town of Saugus.  One of my primary duties as an Animal Inspector (unpaid
state appointed position) was to handle quarantines when there were bites
reported.  I remember receiving a letter from Public Health at that time
stating that Ferrets were becoming legal to own.  I resigned from that job
in May of 91 and as a lot of people who live in MA, was under the impression
that ferrets were legal you just couldn't buy them.
 
In November of 94, I was seriously looking to purchase a ferret.  In
speaking with my on Veterinaran, I was told that they were illegal still to
own here.  I "put the word out" that anyone who hears of any upcoming ferret
legislation, to contact me immediately.
 
In March of 1995, I received a call from a woman by the name of Jan who
lives in Melrose.  Allegedly, a neighborhood boy of 11 years old got bit or
scratched by one of her ferrets.  The boy never said anything initially and
3 days after the incident, Jan received a hysterical call from the boys
mother who had learned that ferrets were illegal.
 
Jan then received a call from the local dog officer who said to her that she
would go to jail, get a 50 thousand dollar fine and if the kid needed rabies
shots, he could get brain damage.  Jan never heard from any Animal
Inspector, or anyone from Public Health or even Fish and Wildlife.  She
explained to this dog officer that her two ferrets only two trips out of
their 2 year old lives were to go to their Vets office in Kittery, ME for
rabies shots.  She informed him that they were updated on their inoculations
and she had certificates to prove it.  He told her that it didn't matter.
 
Fearing litigation, jail and brain damage, she took her two ferrets named
"Newt" and Newton, (not after Newt Gingrich), on March 7, 1995, to the local
Veterinarian where he euthanized them, and took their heads off.  Jan then
transported her babies heads to the state lab in Jamaica Plain for rabies
testing.  In order to get a rabies test the brain has to be kept intact.  By
the way, they came out negative.
 
Jan started doing some calling around, and found out that there was a
pending bill coming up for a hearing in March at the Counties Committee.
The Vet clinic put her in contact with me.  After hearing her story, I vowed
to do everything within my power to get this bill to be passed.  You see if
Jan knew what she knows today, her ferrets would be alive.
 
This occurred exactly 1 year ago today.  It sends chills up my spine just
thinking about this.  We have done the impossible, we have in less than a
year, changed an existing law.
 
The next meeting of the Mass Friends Group will be on Saturday, March 23,
1996 at 1:30PM.  Place: Plymouth Church, 87 Edgell Road, Framingham, MA.
This is an IMPORTANT meeting.  We will be forming a "real" organization on
that date, electing officers, etc.  If you can make it, please do.
 
Happy Ferreting:
 
Sharon Burbine and:
 
Chi Chi (Ha Ha!!! I rode on the train today and went to the statehouse)
Lebby (I'm mad, I wanted to come with you but mommy wouldn't let me)
Sheba aka "The Screamer" (legal? Whats legal, I'm still going to scream at
those other two ferrets).
[Posted in FML issue 1500]