Hello Everyone, Today I spoke with Dr. Mark Starr, one of the Public Health Veterinarians at the California Department of Health Services, and was informed that changes to the California Rabies Compendium which incorporate a quarantine for ferrets involved in bite situations are now in the review process with the head of the California Department of Health Services. What this means is that a new protocol for ferrets has been proposed after an internal review of the recommendations of the NASPH, and these changes should be formally adopted by the state within the next few weeks (hopefuly). In the meantime, if your ferret is involved in a bite circumstance which is reported to the health department, it is imperative that the local authorities know the latest information, especially if they are proposing to kill and test your pet. Local health officials should be notified to contact the State Health Department in Sacramento regarding these new recommendations YOU MAY SAVE YOUR FERRET'S LIFE WITH THIS INFORMATION. The telephone number for local officials to call in Sacramento is (916)327-0332. If you are uncomfortable speaking with the authorities on this matter, don't hesitate to call me at (650) 851-3750. Be sure to leave the details of the incident, your name and telephone number, and the name and telephone number of the local official involved with the bite and I'll see if I can help. Of course, the best advice I can give you all is to not let anyone who is not a part of your close circle of family and friends interact with your ferret, whether your ferret nips or not. As we all know from the KODO incident, even a scratch can send some folks into hysterics where ferrets are concerned. It is also my recommendation to vaccinate your ferret against rabies each year. Ask your veterinarian to use IMRAB III. If your veterinarian says he or she can't legally vaccinate your ferret in California that simply is not true. They can, and they do. Call if you need a new veterinarian, or visit the Ferrets Anonymous website at http://www.caoutlaws.com for a list of vets that treat ferrets. Jeanne Carley Californians for Ferret Legalization (CFL) 410 Mountain Home Road Woodside, CA 94062 (415) 851-3750 <[log in to unmask]> http://www.ferretnews.org-- CFL Website CALIFORNIANS, YOU CAN FIND OUT YOUR STATE SENATOR BY VISITING THIS SITE!! CALL AND WRITE YOUR SENATOR AND GOV. WILSON--DON'T LET OUR BILL DIE! [Posted in FML issue 2270]