I called and faxed all three numbers yesterday in the effort to get the ferrets saved. When I called the Health Commission, I was able to speak with one of the doctors there. I asked if the ferrets had been saved yet, and I was told that, "They are on their way to the lab for testing now." (I'm not sure what she meant by that, since it's since been stated that they were actually at a vet's office). Anyway, when I received that info., I asked if there was anything that could be done to save the ferrets. Her reply was that there was nothing that could be done to save these ferrets, but that in the future, we could save ferrets by making contributions to the testing which is currently being done by the Center for Disease Control on rabies shedding. She said that the ferrets used in the study were donated by Marshall Farms, but that the study is very short of money, and contributions would allow it to progress much faster. I don't understand all of what she told me, but basically I think she said that the test could prove that ferrets cannot transmit rabies to humans (which would prevent further killing of ferrets in bite cases), and that preliminary indications from the study look positive (meaning that ferrets cannot transmit rabies). She gave me the name and telephone number of the doctor in charge of the rabies shedding study in ferrets at the CDC. I intend to call him today to find out more about this test and how we can help. I'd be happy to pass on the name and number to anyone else who is interested, also. BTW, this doctor also told me that she had spoken personally with the shelter operator who had the ferrets, and that she was mad at him for continuing to hand ferrets to the man who was bitten after he (the shelter operator) knew that the ferrets had bitten. She said that by doing so, he effectively signed a death warrant for those animals, and that he should have stopped as soon as the customer was bitten and quarantined the animal in question. Hmmmmm .... Just thought I'd pass on this information. I'll call the CDC today, and post any relevant info. I find out about the ferret rabies shedding study to the FML. - Ela [Posted in FML issue 1599]