2nd letter to Dr. Gipson......Have YOU contacted him yet????... John Rich & the n.j. gang, USA. john rich <[log in to unmask]> Dr. Gipson,...the public has spoken and has asked the USDA to address the very "specific" needs of the Ferret,..not just continuing to 'lump them in' with "warm blooded animals other than dogs, cats, rabbits, hampsters, guinea pigs, non-human primates and marine mammals! Guidelines for other 'mammals' are VERY different from those for Ferrets! Those such as food & water MORE OFTEN than every 24hrs, as required for other mammals such as Horses, Elephants, Chinchillas & Lions??!!....... The Ferret Community has already spoken out, in comments to the APHIS 'proposed' changes FOR FERRETS, ONLY!!!! That was the "ferret specific" proposed rule change that received an "overwhelming" support in the public "comments" section of the rule change!! You cannot ignore the voice of such an overwhelming "YES" to "change the rules for the betterment of the 'treatment' of the species"!!! This will not be the end of this issue, as we, as a group representing the 3rd most popular "Domestic" pet in the USA, will continue to press forward to do the things that YOU should have realized AND supported!.... Other agencies, &/or political options will be explored,.....I wish we did not have to look further,...but apparently you did not understand, or 'care' to understand, the standards "needed" by the Ferret species!... Respectfully, John Rich Vineland, N.J. 08360-2350. Tel# 856-691-2048,....cell,:856-457-0630. [Posted in FML issue 5330]