Anyone who enters an AFA show with ferrets, regardless if they are showing or not MUST abide by the shot and testing rules. Period. If you enter a show and the folks at the door pass you through without checking your documentation, then YOU should take the responsibility to notify another show official. If you don't then you really don't care about the safety of your ferrets since you came in the show with no concern that others may have ferrets there with no shot and testing check either. That's my 2 cents. Oh, and thanks Deb, this will NOT happen again!!! Here is the shot and testing verbiage for the March 29, 2008 AFA Spring Nationals Show to be held in York PA. All AFA sanctioned shows pretty much use the same verbiage - only the dates are changed. --------------------------------------------------------- All ferrets entered in and/or for sale at the show must have been vaccinated for Canine Distemper and Rabies. Dates for CD vaccination should be between April 12, 2007 and March 15, 2008 and your ferret kits must have their kit series completed. Dates for Rabies vaccination must be between April 12, 2007 and March 15, 2008 and your ferret must have been vaccinated with IMRAB-3. See AFA Vaccination Policy enclosed in this show packet. ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF VACCINATION: For rabies vaccination the veterinary certificate must state the name of the vaccine or the manufacturer (listing FERRET RABIES only is NOT ACCEPTABLE). The American Ferret Association (AFA) recommends vaccinating ferrets with USDA licensed vaccine products labeled for use in ferrets. Use of vaccines that do not include ferrets on the manufacturer's label is an off-label usage; use these products only after consulting with a ferret knowledgeable veterinarian and only in circumstances when the risk of infection warrants the use of the vaccine. Please provide your original documentation at check-in for entry into the show hall. This will be a NON-VETTED show, you are responsible for the health of your ferret, so out of consideration for all other attendees and their ferrets, PLEASE DO NOT BRING A SICK FERRET TO THE SHOW. All ferrets entering the show hall must provide proof of negative ADV (Aleutian's Disease Virus) testing between the dates of SEPTEMBER 22, 2007 and MARCH 22, 2008. Testing must be by the CEP Test or the Avecon ELISA Saliva Test and results must be: 1) on tester's original result's letterhead; 2) testing date must be on the letter and within the stated period; 3) ferret names must be on the testing result's letter (names must match show entry). Avecon POCT instant tests are NOT ACCEPTABLE. A letter from your vet is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Faxes or copies are NOT ACCEPTABLE. You will be required to sign a statement at check in to the effect that: No ferret that I am bringing with me into the show hall today has ever had a definitive positive test result on the CEP or Avecon ELISA saliva test (POCT and ELISA blood tests are not acceptable). If in the past 4 months a ferret from my household (shelter/facility/ferretry) has had a definitive positive test result on the CEP or Avecon ELISA saliva test (POCT and ELISA blood tests are not acceptable), I understand that all ferrets in the same household (shelter/facility/ferretry) are considered as being exposed. I also understand that I can not show or bring any ferrets from said household into the show hall today, regardless of their testing status. I also understand that just because all ferrets in the show hall today have been tested for ADV within the six months prior to the show, that this is not a guarantee of safety. I understand that the test is only as good as the day it was taken and I still need to practice SAFE FERRET habits at all times. --------------------------------------------------------- Vickie McKimmey Just a Business of Ferrets www.jbferret.com American Ferret Association Director of Shows and Special Events www.ferret.org Author of Ferrets: An Animal Planet Pet Care Library Series Book [Posted in FML 5867]