Hello all my ferret-owned friends, The GREAT LAKES FERRET ASSOCIATION is sponsoring their annual ferret show this Saturday at the (Michigan) Ramada Inn (Metropolitan Airport). Admission is $3 and there will be around 200 ferrets shown plus all of the walk-in ferret spectators . I can t imagine that much potential mayhem housed under one roof - it should be great fun!!! We will also have ferret fun matches (tube races, paper bag escape, best dressed, and cup-of-ice tipover). Ferrets must have proof of vaccinations and pass a health check before being admitted. Please pass the word to anyone (MI, OH, IN, WI, Canada) within driving distance of I-94 and Middlebelt (@ 4 miles east of the intersection of I-94 &I-275 and @ 15 miles east of the intersection of I-94 & US-23). As some of you might remember, I put out a request for information on the rabies kill and test policy that is in full effect in Michigan along with many other states. I have to thank all of the great FML ers who responded with information. I need to send out a special thanks to Dick Bossart who sent me a 1 thick stack of relevant rabies literature. I have contacted many public officials as well as researchers in order to further acclimate myself to the situation. Anyone close to this situation knows that Dr. Charles Rupprecht is a key player in that he is the chief of the rabies section in the Center for Disease Control (CDC). He is a proponent of a risk assessment for bite situations and, in one of our discussions, he expressed his concern over his perception of a lack of support from the ferret community for rabies shedding studies conducted by Dr. Debbie Briggs at the University of Kansas. I have discussed this at length with Micki Wingate (president G.L.F.A.) as well as a few of you FML ers and this is what I would like to propose: If your financial condition permits, and if your conscience tells you that this is the thing to do... Please send a donation to along with a brief note of support to: Kansas State University Foundation Ferret Shedding Study Dean of Veterinary Medicine 1800 Dennison Manhattan, KS 66506 I was told by an insider that we are wearing down the opposition in the association (NASPHV) that publishes the Rabies Compendiums. That person said that our professional (non-emotional), knowledgeable (fact filled) and continuous bombardment is working. Please don t let up but also let s not ignore those allies that we have behind enemy lines. Please help us stop the senseless murder of our loved ones by the (possibly your state) Public Health Department s ungrounded kill and test policy! Even if you are lucky enough to be in a state where there is a risk assessment or quarantine, we all hurt along with Dayna and Foggy. Can anyone imagine how it would feel to have your loved one taken from you only to be tested negative for rabies (they cut the ferrets head off to perform the test)? ****Part of the proceeds of the GLFA show this Saturday will be donated to the shedding studies!!!*** I hope to see some of you at Saturday s show! Dave & Debbie Les Weazer, L.S., & White Fang & 2CATZ cc: Debbie Briggs Gloria Davis Micki Wingate [Posted in FML issue 1592]