On Ferret Neglect: What a horrible existance for your friends ferrets. I don't think there is a cure or would attempt to cure your friend. The poor ferrets need a new loving home immediately and you're right in not wanting to separate them. One of the ferret shelters will take them - I will - and I have 16! You would be surprised at what love and care can do for a neglected ferret. Aggression may not be aggression - may be frustration. Those babies don't belong in a cage in a garage. Its time for a new home now. Let me know what I can do to help. Wherever you are our network can definitely find a new home for the boys - if you don't want to try it. Personally I would disown the "friend" as soon as the boys were in a new home - but not all humans feel as I do (something the abused and neglected ferrets we've rescued can't understand). Again let me know what I can do. Troy Lynn Eckart, FFS, PO Box 186, Manhattan, KS 66502 (913) 494-8415 after 7 pm or (913) 532-5776 Mon-Fri 7:30-12:00 and 1:00-4:30. We'll anxiously await your response. Troy Lynn and family (Prissy, Teddy Bear, Vixen, Whitney, Honey, Ferry, Abby, Sabie, Poto, Zipper, Gizzie, Willow, Deno, Coco Puffs, Bud and Marley [ferrets] and Sunny, Sheena and Monty [dogs]). 1994 Compendium Info The 94 compendium does not say anywhere that ferrets should be killed! The Compendium of Animal Rabies Control, 1994 Part III Section 6 - Management of Animals That Bite Humans recommends "Management of animals other than dogs and cats depends on THE SPECIES, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE BITE, AND THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF RABIES IN THE AREA and Section 5 Postexposure Management (c) Other Animals - ... SUCH ANIMALS CURRENTLY VACCINATED WITH A VACCINE APPROVED BY USDA FOR THAT SPECIES MAY BE REVACCINATED AND PLACED IN STRICT ISOLATION FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS. These recommendations are in the CURRENT Compendium. Perhaps Michigan is using an outdated version that did recommend ferrets be killed and tested but that is no longer included. Paul - Someone will need to see the compendium MDPH is using and send them a current version. This is exactly what happened in Kansas - KDHE is using "1991" recommendations and has continued to do so. If the State Health Depts are using "CURRENT" version - we wouldn't have all these ferret deaths. Also for Kansas stats - Between 1983-1993 103 ferrets were killed and tested, all proved negative!!!! In the history of Kansas records 161 ferrets were killed and tested and all but 1 tested negative. Between 1983-1993 40 cats and 15 dogs out of thousands tested proved positive. If you need the documents send me your address and I'll mail them. Let me know what I can do to help. Ever read "The Natural History of Rabies, 2nd Edition"? Talk about a horror story - don't read it right before bedtime! I haven't finished yet (600+ pgs) but so far there are no references to ferrets - if rabies was a problem in ferrets (which we all know it isn't) it would be in the book. Troy Lynn [Posted in FML issue 0827]