To Richard Bossart:
 
Thanks for the info on the NH ferret bulletin.  Just goes to show you how
misinformed people can be.  You might want to contact the American Ferret
Association, the League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts, the Ferret
Unity and Registration Organization, and Shelters That Adopt & Rescue
Ferrets to enlist their support.  I'm sure some NH folk have already been
in touch, but anyone who hasn't, these are good groups to connect with.
They all should be able to supply you with information to help counter
the NH health department's disinformation campaign.
 
Here are the particulars for those who don't know:
 
American Ferret Association (AFA)
P.O. Box 3986
Frederick, MD 21705
301-898-3228
 
League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts (LIFE)
9330 Old Burke Lake Road
Burke, VA 22015
703-503-7313
 
Ferret Unity & Registration Organization (FURO)
P.O. Box 11216
Boulder, CO 80301
303-530-9246
 
Shelters That Adopt & Rescue Ferrets (STAR*Ferrets)
P.O. Box 1714
Springfield, VA 22151-0714
703-354-5073
 
In addition, you might contact the California folks who are actively
fighting for ferret legalization, and should be able to supply you with
info directly refuting the Kizer-Constantine report:
 
California Domestic Ferret Association (CDFA)
P.O. Box 1868
Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-431-2277
 
Ferrets Anonymous
P.O. Box 3395
San Diego, CA 92163
619-258-1019
 
You could also contact Troy Lynn Eckart, who has been active with the
McDowell case in Kansas, and who has tons of information about rabies &
ferrets:
 
Ferret Family Services
P.O. Box 186
Manhattan, KS 66502
913-494-8415
 
I hope this is helpful in some way.  The statement about rabid ferrets
being found in pet stores, homes and in the wild is particularly
egregious, as there have only been 14 cases of ferret rabies reported in
this country in 50 years!  Oh, and the statement about baby rabbits being
a staple food for ferrets!  And I wonder how Rhone Meriux would feel about
having its IMRAB rabies vaccine characterized as having questionable
effectiveness in ferrets!
 
I gotta go splash my face with cold water.  This is insane.
 
Richard, I'd like to repost this on CompuServe.  Let me know if that's a
problem.
 
---------------------
Katie Fritz
CompuServe Small Mammals Section (S11) Co-Leader, Pets/Animals Forum
Internet: [log in to unmask]   CompuServe: 71257,3153
 
[Posted in FML issue 0767]