Ann Gruden, President of FACT, has conferred with Dr. Stauber regarding the
Dec. 3 FML post by Jackie Hawley.  He requested that the following emails
to Ms. Gruden be posted to clarify some inaccuracies, so as there is no
misunderstanding as to Washington State University and his involvement in
the unfortunate ferret tragedy in Spokane.
 
Subject: Re: Recent Ferret Situation in Spokane
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  Date:  Thu, 4 Dec 97 22:32:42 +0000
  From:  "Erik H. Stauber" (I removed his email address as unsure if he
         wanted it posted)
    To:  [A Gruden...]
 
Dear Ms. Gruden,
Thank you for the e-mail I received this morning.  While many of the details
in the information provided you are not quite accurate the overall picture
fits the information I have received.  Basically our pathology department
has received eight dead ferrets for examination following the incident after
I heard from Ms. Smith on November 2O, 1997 that she had lost 60(plus)
ferrets within a timespan of 4-6 hours.  Durig our initial telephone
conversation I also requested that two sick ferrets be brought to the
Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for a clinical work
up.  At this time nothing was known about the cause.  Four ferrets judged to
be sick by Ms. Smith were brought to us by friends of Ms. Smith on November
26, 1997.  Aside from skin wounds in two ferrets all 4 animals appeared
clinically normal.  The next time I spoke with Ms. Smith was on December 2,
1997.  At that time I raised the question of payment for the work performed
on the dead and living ferrets.  I told her that I did not have the liberty
to provide free service since I am an employee of a state institution and
have to abide by the rules governing hospital policies concerning payment
for work done.  I was not ordered to stop caring for or testing the animals
in the clinic.
 
Beyond the findings which have been made and the results from our Pathology
Department I cannot verify any of the statements made in the report you
submitted to me.
 
As a veterinarinan and humanitarian I feel strongly committed to help
animals (and their owners) in need. Aside from this I have a great
fondness for ferrets.
 
With kind regards,
Erik Stauber
P.S.For those who are rallying to help Ms. Smith it might be important to
know that our veterinary hospital is about 80 miles from the location where
the terrible incident took place.  We are, so to speak, not immediately
available when help is needed.
E.S.
 
Dear Ms Gruden, Thank you for your latest e-mail.  I would appreciate if you
would post the information I sent you yesterday to correct any
misconceptions that might have arisen from the original message you sent me.
As to the costs which Ms. Smith has incurred from the work done at
Washington State University I want to inform you (and you may post this
also) that we are very grateful for the response and financial contributions
we have received so far.  This will help substantially in covering our
expenses to date and for ongoing work.  We hope to be able to conclude our
involvement soon and will let you know immediately so that no unnecessary
contributions are made.
 
Many thanks again,
Erik Stauber
 
Ms. Gruden adds that FACT will be putting together a care package and
requesting donations at our show Saturday in Cheshire, CT.
 
Moxie, Member, Ferret Association of CT, Inc.
[Posted in FML issue 2146]