I have a number of friends who don't have ferrets but who know that I
do and that they are very important to me.  I thought these friends --
or some of them -- would be glad to help me with my USDA-comment effort,
so I sent them this email.  If you want to copy and use it, feel free.
I'm not suggesting blanketing the world with something like this, but I
wd guess that you too have friends who'd help out.
 
I titled the Subject line "A favor" and here is the text:
 
- - - - -
The USDA/APHIS has put out a call for comments on ferret-welfare
standards. It is a pretty serious situation -- since ferrets have
become so popular, farms are shipping them younger and younger, often
before they should even be weaned and also before the incisions for
their too-early neutering have healed. The shipping conditions are
sometimes appalling too.
 
Would you submit a fast comment -- shdn't take more than a few
minutes, and can be anonymous:
 
1. Go to this link (it leads you to the existing comments for docket
   04-088-1, which are interesting)
 
http://docket.epa.gov/edkfed/do/EDKStaffCollectionDetailView?
objectId=0b0007d4809252bb
 
2. Click Submit Comment
 
3. Ask that the current standards be updated to improve ferret welfare
   as they are raised for sale and shipped.
 
   That one sentence is all that is needed.
- - - - - - -
 
I sent this to 20 people.  If half do it, that will be great.  Even if
they only type that one setence, it will be on the right side of the
issue.  And perhaps some will take some of what I included in my email
to them, and, even better, perhaps some will read the posted comments
and use what they find there.
 
[A later PS]
 
Well, I forwarded my friends the correct link only a few hours ago,
and so far at least 2 people have added their comments -- that's
about 2% more of our total as of a day or two ago.
 
Others of my friends assure me that they will do it too -- even a
couple of my friends who don"t like ferts.  But they don't loke animal
mistreatment either.
[Posted in FML issue 4987]