Here in N.J. there are a LOT of things which are needed despite existing efforts (from multiple fronts) toward a quarantine time: 1. Could someone (perhaps Carolyn Kingeter at [log in to unmask] who just posted on this issue willing to work???) PLEASE put together all the names, e-mail addresses, snail-mail adresses, phone numbers and so on of FML N.J. members? All of us could then have that file. 2. Then each of us could let all the others know (with reply addresses and phone numbers) when there are negative, misleading, or otherwise dangerous articles, letters to the editor, radio or tv pieces, moves by politicians seeking to be sensationalists rather than relying on fact. 3. Please, let your State Assemblymen, State Senators, the Governor's Office, and others (SUGGESTIONS on this score?) know that you look forward to the day when N.J. will have a fair and legislated quarantine time for ferrets. BE POLITE!!!! You may be talking with someone who already supports a quarantine time, or having one after the bat strain shedding studies are done (very possibly later this year or in '98). BOTH are allies! You may also be talking with someone who is sitting on the fence or may be swayed by having accurate data. (Others and I already have copies of some of the studies and right now we am awaiting some promised papers from the CDC, and some data the N.J. Health Department is supposed to send.) Do NOT be confrontational, PLEASE!!! If you feel yourself losing it say something such as "obviously you have not received this decade's information on the USDA approved and well tested vaccine, and are not aware of the extensive testing already done for several strains of rabies including raccoon rabies, or of the testing now on-going for yet another strain of rabies even though ferrets have not ever been documented with that strain. What mailing address(es) do you want used when that information is sent to you." Treat it as if you are saying "You are very intelligent so we're going to treat you as an intelligent individual who just needs the information. 4. Who is willing to put together a literate, basic info sheet which has ACTUAL FACTS and will take no more than two pages INCLUDING REFERENCES? 5. Who has a HANDY photostating machine and is willing to have copies of the relevant studies and send them on to those politicians, reporters, and others who request them as this group becomes larger? 6. Be aware that there ARE others who are pursuing this but DON'T let that stop you from ENCOURAGING those in public service to protect ferrets fairly. Not only would this be a wrong thing to have happen, but it would also cause there to be loss of the grass-roots feeling which so very, very much appeals to many politicians. 7. When something positive and big does finally happen stay in the background and let the politicians get the credit for their hard work getting the legislation through. [Posted in FML issue 1973]