There is still time to submit your comments to the USDA on developing ferret specific regulations under the Animal Welfare Act! The AWA was passed by Congress in 1966 to protect not only pets, but also animals used in research. It has been amended several times, mostly to provide extra protection for pets. The regulations written by the USDA under the authority of the AWA have also been amended several times. Did you know that there are species specific regulations not just for dogs and cats, but also for marine mammals, non-human primates, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters? If hamsters require specific care, certainly ferrets do as well! This may be the SINGLE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY the ferret community has ever had to improve the life of the MOST ferrets! It will affect EVERY ferret that is bred at the large breeders in this country. It will eliminate the need to try to set minimum age of sale requirements in every state (only two states have succeeded so far, New Hampshire and Maine). It will protect them at the farms and in transit to pet stores. It will also protect ferrets used in research. And ALL you need to do is go to http://www.regulations.gov, enter "ferret" in the keyword field, click on submit, and click the Add Comments button on the right. You can type your comments directly into the comment field. Or if you prefer, you can create a file in Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, PowerPoint or any of a dozen other formats and attach them with the click of a button. We expect the pet industry will be submitting a barrage of last minutes objections; let's outdo them! For suggestions on what to write, go to http://www.ferretcongress.org/USDA/USDA.html Remember, the deadline is THIS FRIDAY, November 18! Linda Iroff International Ferret Congress http://www.ferretcongress.org [Posted in FML issue 5063]