Here's some news from Linda Harrah:
 
  Ferrets haven't been legalized in Franklin County,
but Linda spoke to Mr. Weaver (the health department
guy).  He said that the board decided ferrets would remain
illegal until there was a quarantine for them.
 
--- I thought that the studies that determined the
viability of the rabies vaccine also determined the
Q period.  Anybody? Anybody?
 
He also apparently said that people weren't bothered
unless there was a bite reported. So at least
there's some reason coming from a place where
there used tp be rhetoric.
 
We also got copies of two letters being distributed by
the American Ferret Association (formerly Mid-Atlantic
Ferret Assoc. To sign and send to the Humane society
of the United States and the American Medical Vet Assoc.
both of whom have been long time opponents of ferrets.
 
 
Here they are for you to print out on your
laser printers. Sign them and mail them.
------ cut here ----
Gerald L. Johnson, D.V.M.
President
American Veterinary Medical Association
3318 Norton
Independence, MO 64052
 
Dear Dr. Johnson:
 
We strongly urge you to reconsider the AVMA's current position and policies
concerning the DOMESTIC FERRET (Mustela putorious furo), and adopt the
following recommendations, THAT:
 
* Ferrets be recognized as Domestic animals.
  All reputable scientific sources support the domesticity of this animal.
  The misclassification of the ferret as "wild" or "exotic" is not only
  scientifically incorrect, it promotes bad veterinary practices.
 
* Verinarians support the immunization of Ferrets with USDA licenced
  rabies vaccine.
 
  Many states do not recognize the USDA licenced rabies vaccine labeled for
  use in ferrets.  As a result, veterinarians are not immunizing ferrets
  against rabies.  This situation promotes confused and inconguous public
  health policy and is not in the Public's best interest.
 
* No Ferret presented to a veterinarian for treatment be denied proper
  medical assessment and, where appropriate, intervention.
 
  In some states, veterinarians have refused to treat sick ferrets. This
  policy is not only unethical, it is unconscionable!  Such a policy can
  only resort in increased use of homeopathic and quack remedies, needless
  animal morbidity and mortality, and a failure of veterinary medicine as
  a profession.
 
* Veterinarians receive accurate information, education, and training
  regarding the health care management of the Ferret.
 
  Most veterinarians are familiar with ferrets only as a laboratory
  species,  The ferret is the third most popular companion animal.
  There are between 6 and 8 million domestic ferrets in the U.S. today
  The practicing veterinarian can no longer ignore this animal's role
  as a pet.
 
                                Sincerely,
 
                                ______________________________
                                ______________________________
                                ______________________________
                                ______________________________
                                ______________________________
 
------- cut here ----
 
Tell you what, I'll type the other letter in tomorrow night.
My fingers are tired, and my socks are being abducted.
 
Peaces.
lenny.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0225]