ABOUT VETTING AT AFA SHOWS One of the innovations at our show is that there is no formal vetting at the door. This is because we feel that at the door vetting usually achieves very little. For example, ferrets are vetted early in the morning when any symptoms of illness are least likely to be detected. Vaccination records and ADV testing documentation will still be checked at this time and those requirements will be in effect as with every other AFA Sanctioned Show. Even with spraying of vets hands there is probably just as much chance of the vetting process actually transmitting parasites/ fungal spores/ viruses/ bacteria from ferret to ferret as every ferret in the show is handled in short succession. Vets have detected very few ill ferrets in the morning, at the door vetting process despite carefully checking each ferret. Exhibitors could circumvent the check by medicating their ferrets so as they look ok at morning vetting, then progressively become more symptomatic during the day. WHAT WE ARE DOING INSTEAD Our Policy is aimed at making exhibitors responsible for leaving sick ferrets at home, and accountable if they do bring them to an AFA Sanctioned Show. The Judges, as part of their normal judging, all day, will all be assessing every ferret which they judge as to whether it is in "show condition". Sick ferrets, or those with parasites, ringworm or discharging eyes, runny noses or coughs, etc, or ferrets that appear to be medicated, falsed or pregnant will be disqualified from judging as being ''not in show condition.'' The ring steward will immediately bring this matter to the attention of the show manager who may decide to remove the ferret from the show. If mutual consensus is not reached between show manager and exhibitor, a vet will be called to make a final decision. Payment of vet charges will be billed to exhibitor. AS WITH ANY SHOW, IF ANY EXHIBITOR FEELS THEIR FERRET HAS A HEALTH PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY A POTENTIALLY TRANSMISSIBLE CONDITION, THEY SHOULD OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR ALL OF THE EXHIBITORS AND THEIR FERRETS, DO THE RIGHT THING AND LEAVE THE FERRETS AT HOME. 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]