Most of the commenting public wanted it and told the government that during the long haul to change the regulations. Heck, even MF's management at that time wanted it, though one of their vets spoke against it and at least two mid-sized ferret farms objected to it. On learning more the experts at the USDA wanted it, too. There were so many studies of so many types presented to them. I know because I was in the core group and helped find and collect those. So, what went wrong? Well, it turns out that ferrets are not specifically mentioned in a critical section of the Animal Welfare Act so the USDA is not allowed to make an improvement in the regulations for ferrets until Congress modifies the Animal Welfare Act in a way which gives them the status of cats and dogs. The legal experts came back to the USDA when the USDA was all set to improve regulations and told them "hands off till Congress takes action and the Animal Welfare Act specifically treats ferrets like dogs and cats". With Congress, especially the House, having so many anti-regulation members that is not going to be possible for some time. In legal coverage, "second class" applies outside the human realm, too, currently. Hopefully, there will be a brighter future ahead. [Posted in FML 8175]