Thanks to Millie Eidson (New York's Public Health Vet who is still trying to find a way to make changes there without legislation, but has advised Sharon that legislation efforts begin to be safe) I found out about Dr. Paul Ettestad (1-505-827-0006) who is the individual handling rabies policy for New Mexico. (Dr. Eidson used to work there.) (I know, I know -- Dr. Umland's office COULD have told at least one of us in at least one of the phone calls and letters that her's was the wrong office...) Anyway, only one or two ferrets have died and been tested in New Mexico in four years (Those were ones which were loose, the owner could not be found, and the behavior was extreme.); they have a long-standing unofficial policy of NOT killing ones which are vaccinated and the owners can be found, or which are cuddly. He said that he HAS informed all the animal control officers about the Compendium as an unofficial guideline in conjunction with the past ferret-freindly policy (so if you know of one which didn't get the mailing have them contact him), but the process to have OFFICIAL change in New Mexico is BY LAW a VERY, very LONG and involved one. He is hoping it is officially in place this year, but can't be sure. He supports the research and the Compendium. and is doing his best to try to make sure that none die before this gets through in New Mexico. Pam, could you pass this on to your contacts in New Mexico? I don;t have an address for them. The envelopes with the copies of the more recent letters went out this last weekend priority mail. Those of you who get them (Bill, Troy Lynn, Kym, Dick, Pam, Jeanne, etc.) should have them in your hot hands <G> by mid-week. [Sukie, the envelope arrived already! Thanks. BIG] Please, forgive all errors. Am filled to the gills with asthma meds but don't know how coherent I am yet. Sukie [Posted in FML issue 2227]