Dear FML'ers, In an effort to make life easier for some of my busy fellow ferret folk I decided to create a USDA draft letter that can be amended with any & all personal testimonies and sent off to the proper people. You can either send it to your MS Word or retype it adding your own twist.. or not--- this is fine the way it reads now--that is up to your time & passion on this subject :) It's all about getting those letters out there Go to the International Ferret Congress--if needed to refresh your memory of the petition & Dr Kudraks wonderful letter she attached as well: http://www.ferretcongress.org/ Please do not think if you live in California or other areas ferrets are not permitted that you cannot write--you can still write about the injustices--just don't tell 'em you have ferrets, silly If you have been frustrated or touched in any way with a sick or too young pet shop story--either personally or through anothers story---put it in the letter--this will give it more weight It is the number of letters that really count here in terms of getting attention for this change so even if you copy this letter to a 't' that's fine too just get them out there...please As suggested earlier...as difficult as it is at times with such a dear to the heart subject...keep it polite & professional..that gets the best results :) One letter goes to: Mr. Bobby Acord USDA Administrator of the Animal Plant Inspection Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Room 200-A Whitten Building Washington, DC 20250 Also email him a copy at: [log in to unmask] Dear Mr Robert Acord, I am writing to support the petition recently submitted to your office concerning the welfare of one of the most popular pets in the United States today--the pet ferret. I would like to request a revision in the requirements for ferret breeding farms to better reflect the intent of the Animal Welfare Act. The ferrets are weaned, neutered & shipped too young for their little immature bodies to endure resulting in compromised conditions creating malnutrition & at times death. I share my life with ferrets & find this very disturbing. I respectfully request your help in correcting these horrific injustices. Thank you very much Also address a copy to: Ms Ann M. Veneman USDA Agriculture Secretary 1400 Independece Ave SW Room 312-E Whitten Building Washington, DC 20250 Email her as well at: [log in to unmask] Also very important--click on these sites to find your local politicians & send them letters & emails too :) http://www.house.gov/writerep/ http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Thank you all so much Take Good Care Mary Ann You were once wild here. Don't let them tame you. Isadora Duncan~~ A wound will not heal until the matter is given words and witness Clarissa Pinkola Estes~~ [Posted in FML issue 4466]