USDA proposal, July 8 deadline for action! PLEASE ACT TODAY!

This is a message from the ferret health list yahoo groups, any ferret owner needs to act upon this, it is very important. This means Marshall farm ferrets would not be going to any pet store (Petsmart, Petco) selling ferrets that are too young to be taken from it's mother, and will be weaned.

A few years ago we worked hard to convince the USDA to create ferret-specific regulations governing their transport and care. The inside word we have gotten is that the ferret industry is too small to warrant the creation of such rules.

However, they have created a generic proposal that will set an 8-week and weaned requirement for the transport of any warm-blooded animal.

The deadline for comment is JULY 8, 2008! WE MUST ACT NOW!!

Below is a brief description of the proposal and how to submit your comments. A sample letter is also attached. Feel free to use it, modify it or write your own.

The main point is that we agree that an 8-week minimum age for transport is beneficial to ferrets, both domestic and black-footed.

Please feel free to cross-post.

Linda Iroff
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org

---
The American Council for Ferret Health, Welfare and Policy, Washington, DC

DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE: July 8, 2008

AGENCY: Federal – USDA – Animal & Plant Health Inspection Agency

REFERENCE: [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0024] RIN 0579-AC14
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 9 CFR Part 2 Proposed Rule
“Minimum Age Requirements for the Transport of Animals”

NOTICE: USDA has posted a Period for Public Comment on these regulations.

IMPACT: Regulations for FERRETS would match those currently in place for DOGS and CATS, FERRETS would be required to be weaned and at least 8 weeks of age prior to removal from their mothers and transport to a Retail facility, exhibit, etc. For young animals used in research, the research must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) along with provisions specified as to care of animals during transport, if the animals do not meet the minimum age requirements of 8 weeks.

WHY YOU SHOULD RESPOND: New regulations, while not specific to FERRETS, would impose new requirements where no prior requirements have existed for FERRETS.

SUMMARY: US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposes to amend the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations by adding minimum age requirements of 8 weeks for the transport in commerce of animals. Current regulations require dogs and cats to be weaned and a minimum of 8 weeks of age before they can be transported from the breeder location to a retail store or other venue. No regulations currently exist for FERRETS or other warm-blooded species. The Proposed Regulations would allow, provided certain conditions are met, for animals to be transported without their mothers for medical treatment and for scientific research before reaching the minimum age and weaning requirement. Setting MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS of 8 weeks for the transport in commerce of animals and providing for the transport of animals that have not met the minimum age requirements are necessary to help ensure the humane treatment of these animals.

INSTRUCTIONS: Submit your comments online or by mail: [SEE SAMPLE FORM LETTER]

1) ONLINE: Federal “eRulemaking” Portal: Go to
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=APHIS-2\
006-0024
Click on "APHIS-2006-0024-0001" to view the proposal, and on the icon in that row in the Comments column to add your own comment.

You may also view the comments submitted by others there.

2) OR MAIL 2 COPIES SIGNED COPIES OF YOUR LETTER TO:

USDA – APHIS: Docket No. APHIS-2006-0024
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS
Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Barbara Kohn, Senior Staff Veterinarian, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700
River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-
1231; (301) 734-7833.

-------------
Sample letter:

[YOUR LETTERHEAD]
[name/address]
[July -- , 2008]
RE: 9 CFR Part 2 [Docket No. APHIS-2006-0024] RIN 0579-AC14
PR: “Minimum Age Requirements for the Transport of Animals”

United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Regulatory Analysis and Development
PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238

To Whom It May Concern:
We are writing in support of the above referenced PROPOSED RULE (PR) to amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations by adding minimum age requirements for the transport in commerce of animals. We are aware that the current regulations address age limits for dogs and cats, but that no corresponding regulations exist for ferrets.

We agree and strongly support your proposal to amend the current regulations to restrict the transport of ferrets that are less than 8 weeks of age, unless certain conditions have been met, as outlined in the PR.

For both the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) and the wild black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), establishing federal minimum age requirements for the transport in commerce of ferrets, and providing for the transport of animals that have not met the minimum age of 8 weeks of age, are necessary to help ensure the humane treatment of these animals.

[ADDITIONAL: YOU MAY ADD EXAMPLES OF PROBLEMS THAT OCCURRED IN THE
PAST, OR YOUR REASONS FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROPOSED RULE]

Sincerely,
[SIGNED - YOUR NAME]






ferrets

Marshall Farms Ferret Secrets

Did you know....


The Marshall family makes a killing breeding animals doomed to a life of hideous torture.

Gilman and Ina Marshall began Marshall Farms (based in North Rose, N.Y.) 60 years ago, breeding and selling ferrets for pets. Today, Marshall Farms sells its own line of pet products. They are a major supplier of animals, breeding tens of thousands of beagles and ferrets every year for use in hideous experiments for which there are humane alternatives. Marshall Farms also owns Butler Farms of Clyde, N.Y., where it breeds mongrel and hound dogs to sell to laboratories.

Lab Animal magazine - "All Marshall animals are raised in elevated, indoor pens that simulate the laboratory environment…"; "[b]y tracking all important characteristics and genetic information, and then weeding out undesirable stock, Marshall Farms can supply beagles ideal for research."

Life at Marshall Farms

Marshall Farms’ beagles and ferrets are born in small, elevated wire enclosures – the same types of wire enclosures they will be confined to for their entire lives.

These beagles have lived out their entire existence in tiny wire cages, confused and frightened.

Breeding females are kept at this facility for their entire reproductive lives. They produce litter upon litter until their exhausted bodies wear out and then they are killed.

Violations cited:

• Inadequate Veterinary Care
• Transport Violations
  
• Improper Sanitation
  
• Inadequate Space

Complaints Filed Against Marshall Farms

Two complaints have been filed with the New York State Education Department’s Office of Professional Discipline. The Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) and PETA filed these complaints. They were filed because Marshall Farms uses nonveterinarians to perform surgeries on thousands of ferrets each year despite the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA's) condemnation of such practices.

Environmental Concerns:

According to neighbors of Marshall Farms, the facility generates foul odors and loud barking that can travel for miles, depending on weather conditions. Waste and feces wash into the surrounding bodies of water during rains, intensifying the stench and threatening wildlife habitats. Neighbors have also complained about the facility’s disregard for local and state laws.

One neighbor informed PETA that she was once horrified at the site of a pile of dog and puppy carcasses in a rotting heap on Marshall Farms’ property.

http://www peta.org/feat/marsh/index.html

What's the deal with Marshall Farms?

Perspective on Marshall Farms
Marshall Farms - Wikipedia

Ferrets sold at Petco

I want them to quit selling ferrets!

PETCO and PetSmart to Keep Contract With Rainbow World Exotics Despite Evidence of Gross Neglect, Suffering of Birds, Rabbits

NORFOLK, Va. -- Following lengthy negotiations with PETA, PETCO--the nation's second-largest pet store chain--will reduce the number of animals for sale in its stores nationwide by 30 percent. The company also will revamp its live-animal vendor certification standards to improve conditions at all of its pet suppliers, starting with Rainbow World Exotics (RWE) in Hamilton, Texas, where a PETA investigation uncovered abuse and neglect of birds and other animals

"PETCO to Slash Number of Animals for Sale by 30 Percent After PETA Expose of Shocking Conditions at Animal-Breeding Mill" The Free Library 22 February 2008. 20 March 2008 Link

Undercover Investigation Uncovers Horrors at PetSmart and PETCO Supplier's Breeding Mill

Video footage obtained in a new PETA undercover investigation reveals horrific nightmare conditions for small animals and birds bred and brokered by a major supplier to PetSmart.

Take Action on This Issue: Complete the form to urge PetSmart to cut ties with Rainbow World Exotics and to stop selling all live animals.