There has been a recent thread on this list about plants and other household poisons. This is an important subject, and one ferret owners need to be knowledgeable on, as ferrets will frequently try to taste unknown objects, or carry them off in their mouths to hide them. Part of ferret proofing always involves putting those things we know can poison our little ones out of their reach. But, there is always the question, "Do we really know everything that can be poisonous to ferrets?" I would like to point out that at the Ferret Symposium 2005 in St. Louis MO, Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, of Animal Planet's Emergency Vet show will be speaking on just this subject. Dr. Fitzgerald has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, and so this is a subject that he knows well. Now, Ferret Symposium 2005 is still a long way off, and so people that need immediate answers should turn to other resources, such as the IFC Critical Links page that Sukie mentioned (http://www.ferretcongress.org). But, I am sure his talk will be interesting (and entertaining) and will alert us to some things we may not have even considered a problem. Attending the Ferret Symposium can be an expensive undertaking, between Symposium fees, travel expenses and hotel costs, but it is money well spent. I am sure anyone who has attended the past events will tell you how much fun they had and how much they learned from the speakers and other attendees. And, each year the IFC tries to improve the event, learning from our mistakes and successes. I bring up cost only because, by planning and saving money each week or month, it may be easier for some to afford this event. And so, while it is still almost a year away, it is never too early to start planning and saving for the event. I hope to see many old friends and meet many new faces at Ferret Symposium 2005. We are hoping the event will provide a weekend of both enjoyment and important knowledge for ferret owners. In addition to the daily talks, there will be other fun activities, like a trip to the St. Louis Zoo. So, hopefully, all of you can "Meet me in St. Louis"! -- Danee International Ferret Congress Health Issues Coordinator http://ferretcongress.org ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know! For more information visit: http://www.ferretadv.com [Posted in FML issue 4528]