From:
sukie crandall
Date: 2004-03-19 05:15:04 UTC
Subject: How you can help improve the health of thousands of ferrets just with
To: ferrethealth-owner@smartgroups.com, ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
a letter
Message-id: <6125F462-7964-11D8-8A50-000A95CD182C@optonline.net>
This message is from Dr. Sandra Kudrak who has been working with a team =
of veterinarians to create national improvements for ferrets and it is =
appearing on the FHL by special decision of the moderators who have =
read both these materials and the 17 pages of proposed new regulations:
Begin message:
Currently, many legislative challenges are facing ferrets and the =
ferret community nationwide. =A0Many of these pending legislative actions =
=
have not only repercussions on the welfare of ferrets, but also their =
health.
Now, an action is being brought before the United States Department of =
Agriculture and the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service that would =
request a revision in the requirements for breeding farms already under =
USDA control. =A0The proposed changes would not apply to small breeders =
who sell privately; rather they would apply only to breeders who breed =
ferrets for wholesale to the pet industry, their distributors, and the =
transport they use. =A0
This action requests that the departments review the current protection =
provided for ferrets, and revise them to provide more breed specific =
needs. =A0Currently, no ferret specific guidelines are available for the =
protection of the health and welfare of farmed ferrets - and several =
groups would like to see this matter addressed.
=A0Within the next several months, proposed regulations will be available =
=
for public review and commentary. =A0At this time, however, it is =
critical to convince the Department of Agriculture that ferrets need - =
and deserve - breed specific protection equal to that of dogs and cats.
=A0
Attached is a copy of the petition submitted to the United States =
Department of Agriculture recommending that these needs be addressed.
=A0
YOU CAN HELP!
Please contact:
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman
1400 Independence Ave SW Room 312-E
Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250
agsec@usda.gov
202-720-3631
Bobby Acord, Administrator of the Animal Plant Health Inspection =
Service
1400 Independence Ave SW Room 200-A
Whitten Building
Washington, DC 20250
Bobby.R.Acord@usda.gov
Telephone Number202 720-3668 Fax Number202 720-3054
and
Your federal congressional delegation - use the below websites if you =
are unsure who to contact.
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
and let them know that the general public is concerned about the =
welfare of these popular animals, and for the health of ferrets across =
the United States, better regulations should be implemented - most =
specifically, breed specific regulations.
--------------
Petition
March 10, 2004
=A0Petition for Rulemaking
=A0Submitted by:
International Ferret Congress
Sandra C. Kudrak, DVM, DABVP
Ferret Wise Rescue and Rehabilitation Shelter
West Central Ohio Ferret Shelter
Ferret Lovers Club of Texas
Maryland Ferret PAWS, Inc.
Support Our Shelters
Ferret Rescue of Maine
Western Maine Ferret Rescue
=A0
Submitted to:
Mr. Bobby Acord
Administrator of the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
and
Ms. Ann M. Veneman
Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture
=A0
Dear Sir and Madam:
=A0
We are petitioning the United States Department of Agriculture =
regarding the lack of adequate protection for the domestic ferret =
(Mustela furo) under the current provisions of the Animal Welfare Act.
=A0Currently, the domestic ferret is considered to be one of the most =
popular companion animals in the United States as well as around the =
world.=A0Sadly, the protection afforded to it by the Animal Welfare Act =
does not take into account the specific biological, physiological, and =
social needs of this animal in a manner consistent with other household =
pets such as cats and dogs.=A0Given practices such as early and forced =
weaning, ferret kits are being shipped too young, resulting in large =
numbers of animals becoming ill during or shortly after transport.=A0Many =
=
more animals develop significant behavioral abnormalities (such as =
aggression not normally seen in ferrets) because their inherent needs =
are not being met during the weaning and transportation =
process.=A0Additionally, ferret kits are arriving to pet stores =
malnourished and ill.=A0Starvation, pneumonia, prolapsed rectums, and =
seizures are regularly documented.
These animals, because of behavior and health problems, are being =
relinquished in large numbers to shelters and private individuals =
willing to attempt to rehabilitate them.=A0Unfortunately, many are unable =
=
to recover to a state which makes them adoptable, causing a huge burden =
on the shelters as well as the general public.
=A0The lack of protection afforded to this animal is contrary to both the =
=
language and Congressional intent of the Animal Welfare Act.
=A0We formally request that the rulemaking be instituted to provide for =
adequate regulations specifically addressing the unique needs of =
ferrets as has been done for other species.=A0The above parties are =
available and willing to provide their experience and expertise to see =
that fair, legal, and adequate regulations be drafted.
=A0We ask that the agency take immediate action to remedy these =
violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
----
This message may be freely distributed to other individuals, lists, =
newsletters, and websites as long as it appears in its entirety and =
without any changes to either the letter or the petition, both of which =
must appear together.
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