The meeting last night with the Brevard County Legislative Delegation went much as we expected. We had hoped that one of the Legislators would sponsor this bill for us, but we were told that all of them already had their bill quota filled for the year and could not introduce any further legislation. After Dr Kemmerer spoke on our behalf, the floor was opened for questions from the six Legislators. Rep. Harry Goode mentioned that he had gotten calls from all over the state and asked about the shelter/club network around the state. Sen. Charles Bronson spoke next and stated that the committee to hear this initiative would probably be Agriculture. (He was Agriculture Comm. Vice-chairman last term, I don't know if he will be this term also.) He asked for clarification as to how ferrets are kept (indoors vs outdoor/wild) and asked if there had ever been a case of ferret induced rabies. He suggested that ferrets should be treated like dogs and cats that are vaccinated. He also mentioned ferret breeding ranches and vaccination of their ferrets. Rep. Howard Futch, who I knew would be sympathetic to us since he was so positive on the phone with me, talked about ferrets being fun loving thieves and again asked for confirmation that ferrets are house-bound animals. He stated that he would have no problem with the bill but was unable to sponsor it at this time. Rep. Randy Ball, Chairman, asked for clarification as to whether this was an administrative code issue or legislative issue. He discussed the Joint Administrative Procedure Committee and attempted to refer this issue back to the County. We informed him that the last year had been spent with the County. Rep. Posey, who had turned us down before, then read the letter written to him by the W J Blechmen MD, ex-State Health Officer and Deputy Secretary for Health. This letter described ferrets as *high risk animals for rabies* and recommended kill and test in all bite situations. Dr Kemmerer informed the Legistators that this letter was moot but to no avail. Rep. Ball thanked Dr Kemmerer for coming and wished us luck. Another meeting, and again it was anti-climatic.... But(!) this afternoon, I received some excellent news. Today, Marie Wallace had been working with Rep. Futch's office on co-sponsoring the bill draft for us! This means that we will have a bill number even though we don't have a sponsor and he gave Marie the name of a Representative that may sponsor the bill for us. While we are again extremely hopeful, I can't give all the details out as of yet. We should know more by next week and I promise to keep everyone posted. In the meantime, feel free to forward this or any other releases to fellow Floridians. If you aren't receiving our updates directly, email me and I will add your name to our mail list. We would like to thank Dr Kemmerer for taking time out of her very busy schedule to speak on our behalf. Dr Kemmerer is quite a special lady and we owe her an incalculable debt! We also would like to thank all of you who made phone calls to the six Legislators. One mentioned that he had received over 100 calls in the couple of days prior to the meeting! Happy ferreting! Susie Sherman Member of: Brevard Ferret Lovers Rescue Melbourne, FL =============================================== Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. -- Sir James Barrie ============================================== [Posted in FML issue 1818]