Ingrid and MD Ferret PAWS: I agree, you were the only organization involved in the Ferret Protection Act in Maryland (other individuals, representing themselves, not PAWS or other organziations were very much involved). I'm sure you worked hard at getting it supported. I know for a fact that Michelle of your organization was a big help in getting the current wording worked out, and making numerous phone calls to get this pushed forward for the 2004 year. But I think you aren't giving enough credit to Barb Clay, who, while still a member of PAWS wrote the original bill, and since being removed as a member of PAWS met numerous times with the committeemen who introduced the bill. When I say PAWS dropped the ball, I'm refering to the committee meeting where it was voted on. Where two members of PAWS attended, and were asked to speak on behalf of the bill. They refused because they were not prepared. If you worked so hard at getting this bill to committee and supported, how could you not be prepared? (Barb was busy dealing with a large rescue at the time). I agree, this bill would be great to pass in MD, and hopefully other states would then follow through. But when asking for a petition to be signed, they will be looking for signatures from people from MD, the state where the bill will actually be a law. They want to know how many people who live in MD support it, not how many from the whole world. Signatures from outside of MD will be discounted. So that's why I don't believe that support from outside MD will be as useful as you are hoping. But again, I support your efforts, just not the way that you have went about so far in those efforts. I will be linking the bill from all the ferret related sites I host in hopes that it can get the most widespread coverage. I know last year it was posted on several ferret groups I belong to, so I'm sure I'll see it posted again that way. But please remember, when you do advertise it, give credit where credit is due. Linda [Posted in FML issue 4424]