FURO stands for Ferret Unity & Registration Organization, which publishes a bi-monthly newsletter called the Weasel Help Monthly. The WHM is published out of Colorado; FURO's headquarters are in North Carolina. You can find the address and phone number in the STAR*Ferret database, which can be obtained by sending the message GET FERRET DATABASE to [log in to unmask], or by downloading the file FSHLTR.TXT from Library 11/Small Mammals Library of the Pets/Animal Forum on CompuServe (GOT PETSFORU). Other national ferret organizations are: LIFE (League of Independent Ferret Organizations) STAR*Ferrets (Shelters That Adopt & Rescue Ferrets) AFA (American Ferret Association These are also all listed in the STAR* list, along with many others. As for the suggestion of Fara Shimbo as a national representative connected with the FML -- this is not likely, as she publically disdains the ferret electronic community (she has often made negative comments about it in her editorials in the WHM), and unsubscribed from the FML more than a year ago, rather vocally. To the new person asking about the McDowell case, and who the McDowells are -- I don't remember the issue number, but it first appeared in the FML around Christmas time. Troy Lynn Eckart, who recently subscribed to the FML, has worked very closely with the McDowells and probably has the most up-to-date information on the situation. Michelle, let me add my belated congrats on the outcome of your radio blitz! Effie Marie, hope you can rejoin us soon! Bill Sebok, about your question about the Michigan bill, euthanasia and bite reporting -- I can understand your concern, but would point out that "bite" is not defined in the piece presented. I seriously doubt that ferret owners would be likely to report every playful nip that occurs. Seems to me that it would be more of a concern if a ferret nipped a visitor (like in the McDowell case) -- I personally would be very careful about any interactions between my ferrets and a stranger/visitor. It's also a good reason to make sure to vaccinate all pet ferrets, and support the effort to raise money for a rabies shedding study acceptable to the powers that be in the U.S. I don't mean to dismiss this concern, but if the Great Lakes Ferret Association is willing to support this bill, that must count for something. <shrug> --------------------- Katie Fritz CompuServe Small Mammals Section (S11) Co-Leader, Pets/Animals Forum Internet: [log in to unmask] CompuServe: 71257,3153 [Posted in FML issue 0827]