My $.02 worth: I agree with Bob C that we really do need a national organization. Also agree with Kim Burkard that no other organizations need be assimilated or threatened. I've been involved with a national re-creation group for more years than I care to count and a couple of things come immediately to mind for such an organization: 1) Keep focused. Don't try to be all things to all people. Leave discussions of what color belongs in what class to others and stick with the bigger issue, legalization. 2) Be educational. Leave shows, breeding issues, etc. to the local associations, concentrate on educating the public about ferrets and their owners. 3) Be political. Ultimately, only political clout will free our pets. Why aren't dogs and cats subject to kill-and-test? Because no politico or public 'servant' would dare arouse the wrath of such large, politically powerful groups. As long as we as ferret owners are percieved as a lunatic fringe minority, we and our pets are easy targets. Lets keep discussing this, folks, we've got something important started here! Rob McNish and the Gang at McFerret Acres [Posted in FML issue 1969]