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Ferrets Lead the Way TO A Universal "Flu" vaccine Sep 2023: Each year the influenza ("flu") virus infects 3 to 5 million people globally, resulting in 290,000 to 650,000 deaths (World Health Organization).
New flu virus strains appear each year, so a new vaccine must be made to match those strains predicted to be most likely to cause flu during the current year's flu season. As a result, flu vaccine efficacy has varied widely from year to year. Domestic ferrets are known to catch the flu and are, therefore, the animal of choice to test safety and efficacy of new flu vaccines. PDS Biotechnology Corporation, a New-Jersey-based company, announced that its data in ferrets with its investigational flu vaccine PDS0202 is to be presented at the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza conference (Sep 17-20, 2023, Valencia, Spain). In its goal to produce a “universal” flu vaccine—one that could eliminate the need to create a new flu vaccine every year, the company tested PDS0202 in ferrets. Ferrets with no prior immunity against the influenza virus (“pre-immune”) were exposed to the H1N1 and H3N2 flu viruses, two well-known strains from the last decade. The animals were monitored to see if they produced blood (seroprotective) antibody responses against these two strains. The investigational PDS0202 vaccine represents a new generation of flu vaccines. Based on the company’s proprietary Infectimune™ technology with proprietary Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA) hemagglutinin (HA) flu proteins, the new flu vaccine may be able to provide long-lasting and broad protection against multiple strains of the virus. Prior lab studies demonstrated that PDS0202 can produce a strong immune response: broadly neutralizing influenza-specific antibodies, flu-specific CD4 (helper) and CD8 (killer) T-cells, as well as long-lasting memory T-cells. This well-characterized and robust immune response to the COBRA antigens suggests good potential for broad and long-term protection against multiple strains of influenza. The data will be presented at the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) Conference. ESWI, to be held September 17-20, 2023, in Valencia, Spain, with the hope that future human trials will soon follow. For more information, see: Does Your Ferret Have Ear Mites? Ferrets, like other mammals, normally have ear wax (cerumen). “Normal” ear wax in ferrets is light brown, orange, or reddish in color.
Itchy dark-reddish to brown ear wax with black spots in or around the ears may indicate your ferret has “ear mites.” Ear mites are tiny spider-like external parasites of the species Otodectes cynotis. These mites can infest the ears of warm-blood mammals, including dogs, cats, ferrets, rodents and rabbits. Generally they do not infest humans. Signs Aside from the appearance in the ear, ferrets may respond to the itchiness with frequent scratching and rubbing of the head, head shaking, or even walking with the head tilted to one side. Diagnosis A trip to the veterinarian will identify if your ferret has ear mites, or if something else is causing these signs. A sample of your ferret’s earwax is examined under a microscope. It can show the presence of these tiny mites or their eggs. Treatment Ferrets can be treated with drugs in the form of ear drops, such Ivermectin, or the topical application of Selamectin. Selamectin, (also known as Revolution® - Zoetis, Selarid – Norbrook, Senergy - Virbac) is an oily drug that is applied and rubbed into the skin on the ferret’s back between the shoulder blades. It will spread over to the ferret’s ears. These medications should ONLY be used under the guidance of a veterinarian familiar with ferrets. Prevention Treatment alone is not enough. If your ferret has ear mites, it will be important to clean the ferret’s bedding, toys and cage. If the infected ferret has cage mates, or if there are other animals in the household, these, too, should be checked for ear mites and treated as recommended by the veterinarian. Further reading: Miller D, et al. Efficacy and safety of selamectin in the treatment of Otodectes cynotis infestation in domestic ferrets.” The Veterinary Record. vo1 l59, 2006. Patterson C. Selamectin use in companion animals. Today’s Veterinary Practice. Aug 4, 2021. [article does not mention ferrets] https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/pharmacology/selamectin-use-in-companion-animals/ Accessed July 2023] Rich G, Axelson R. Ferrets - Ear Mites. VCA Animal Hospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ferrets-ear-mites [Accessed July 2023]
Looking for a ferret friend to add to your “business”? Beware of those who promise ferrets – but are out to defraud you! Here’s how to avoid being scammed:
Never Prepay Scammers will often ask for a pre- or down payment to hold the pet for you. They will ask to be paid through services such as Venmo, Paypal, CashApp, etc. NEVER DO THIS! Never pay for a pet until you have it in your hands, you have examined it, and you are taking it home. Asking for a prepayment: this is a RED FLAG for fraud. Location “Switch” You contact the site and are told that the pet is at a different location than advertised. This is HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS. Usually the scammer will demand a down payment so that they can secure the pet for you and arrange for some kind of transport to your location. Say "NO" - this is a RED FLAG. Visit the Facility Request to visit the facility and meet the pet. This allows you to see the state of the facility and the animal. Even if you are not located in the area near the animal facility, you can say that your friend or family-member can stop by. If they refuse to allow a visit at the animal's location: this a RED FLAG. Animal is to be Shipped to You. Reputable breeders, shelters, welfare organizations and even pet stores and other retailers do not ship ferrets to noncommercial recipients. If shipping is discussed: this is a VERY BIG RED FLAG. Do Your Own Check Ask for the full name and street address of the individuals you are dealing with. Check to see if they are “real."
Search for REVIEWS online. If you are having doubts or questions, often others have seen the same ads or invitations, and their experiences are important. Make sure that the organization is “real” and not impersonating another organization. This can require a phone call to the named organization you think you are dealing with. If you cannot confirm the association, do not pursue the transaction. There will be other opportunities to locate your next ferret! Note: If you come across a scam regarding ferrets, let us know! Contact: [email protected] . 40,000 Minks Released From Ohio Fur Farm By Anti-Fur Activitists Caged Farm Mink Dec 1, 2022: An estimated 40,000 minks were released from an Ohio fur farm by activists who smashed their enclosures.
The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on social media to alert local residents. It said that the Lion Farms USA fur facility had been broken into. A later update revealed many of the minks had been recaptured, although around 10,000 remained unaccounted for. The mink that were raised and kept in captivity are unlikely to survive on their own, farm manager Eddie Meyer said. Meyer told news site WANE that he expected 95 percent of them to die within a few days. Today there are about 250 mink farms in the United States, producing in the region of 3 million pelts (whole animal skins, including the fur) every year. Typically they supply the fashion sector, which makes coats and garment trims from mink fur. Minks raised on farms are not covered by the US Animal Welfare Act or the Humane Slaughter Act, and care for these mustelids is thought to be largely thought to be nonexistent. Animals are frequently caged in small, empty wire boxes, stacked on top of each other. This allows farmers to cram the maximum number of animals into any given space until they are ready to be slaughtered and skinned. Sheds housing the animals are frequently overcrowded, hot, and free from stimulation. This results in many animals self-mutilating to try and free themselves or attacking others. Injuries are not treated, and animals are often left to die slowly and in pain. Common execution methods include anal electrocution, cervical dislocation, and mass gassings. Unsafe Conditions means Vectors of Disease In addition to ethical concerns, mink farms are hotspots for disease transmission. Due to the cramped and filthy conditions, illness can spread quickly through mink farms. This was observed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with farms reporting mass infections around the world. Millions of minks were killed as a result, with more than 15 million being executed in Denmark in 2020 alone. In addition, multiple regions around the world implemented bans on mink fur farming to stem the zoonotic disease risk. Sweden, British Columbia, Hungary, and Italy are notable inclusions. Ohio’s unidentified animal activists The activists responsible for freeing the 40,000 minks in Ohio reportedly spray-painted the letters “ALF” on the farm. This could stand for activist organization the Animal Liberation Front (also known as the ALF), which claimed credit for a previous release of 1,000 minks in Ohio. However, the ALF has not yet received a claim for this incident. As a decentralized activism collective, individual members of the ALF carry out actions designed to free animals from captivity. Nobody is in charge of organizing the group, and activities can be claimed by individuals, usually anonymously, after the fact. 
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Copyright allFerrets 2022
 | Summer Reading: 2 new Ferret Children's Books |
June 2022: Summer is a great time to catch up on reading. Whether by the pool, or in park with a picnic basket. Two new books on ferrets are just right for young readers, which are reviewed, below:
| My Name is Musky! A Ferret's Story - author Matty Guiliano; illustrator Morgan Spicer. [Humane Press - ISBN: 978-0-578-53532-6; 2022]  Mr. Guiliano is a retired Animal Cruelty Officer, who conducted thousands of investigations during his career in New Jersey. The book is about Musky, the author's first ferret. Beautifully illustrated, the story revolves around a little white ferret with black eyes who was abandoned by the side of the road. Musky, as he becomes known, survives the ordeal and finds a "forever" home. The author has also developed a Humane Education program for students and educators: "A practical understanding of how animal shelters operate and the individual--and community-- role students can play in successful outcomes for homeless animals." To purchase: mynameismusky.com | The Antics of Carrot the Ferret - author & illustrator June Van Klaveren [June Van Klaveren-ISBN: 978-0-9744349-3-3; 2022]  Ferrets are cute creatures, but what is it like to own one? The fun and humor of owning a pet ferret is captured in this picture book. Told in verse, the story is based on experiences of a 'first-time' owner with a ferret named "Carrot" ("because he is orange with a pointy tail"). A full page of Fascinating Ferret Facts is included. Readers should also study the pictures: hidden within the illustrations is a small carrot. Report your findings online and you will receive a surprise in a email from the book's author! Written in verse and brightly illustrated, the book is designed to encourage literacy and makes a great, fun book for all readers - young and old alike. To purchase: allferrets Marketplace: Books |
Wild Otters take over the City-State of SingaPore
 |  Urban otters in Singapore |
With the quiet of the streets during Covid, a sleek brown fur-bearing mustelid has taken over the city of Singapore. The financial capital of Asia was not prepared to be invaded by families of otters, who have taken over the streets, parks, beaches, private swimming pools and many public places throughout the city.
Several years ago, Singapore was making efforts to protect the smooth Asian otters. The mustelid’s return to the Singapore waterways was “hailed as a conservation success story and vindication of the government’s efforts to turn the manufacturing powerhouse into a lush ‘garden city' envisioned by the country’s founding prime minister” reports the Wall Street Journal (Dec 17, 2021). For the past decade wild otters were making their way from the outlying islands surrounding Singapore to the city's center. A 2019 national parks newsletter called the water-loving animals the “new citizens,” noting that Singapore itself has historically been a nation of immigrants. In 2016, Singapore hosted the 13th International Otter Congress, a gathering of "otter experts” who greeted the arrival of the 3-foot slinky animals as “the return of the otters.”
Several years ago, Singapore was making efforts to protect the smooth Asian otters. The mustelid’s return to the Singapore waterways was “hailed as a conservation success story and vindication of the government’s efforts to turn the manufacturing powerhouse into a lush ‘garden city' envisioned by the country’s founding prime minister” reports the Wall Street Journal (Dec 17, 2021). For the past decade wild otters were making their way from the outlying islands surrounding Singapore to the city's center. A 2019 national parks newsletter called the water-loving animals the “new citizens,” noting that Singapore itself has historically been a nation of immigrants. In 2016, Singapore hosted the 13th International Otter Congress, a gathering of "otter experts” who greeted the arrival of the 3-foot slinky animals as “the return of the otters.”
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Zouk Otter family uses the cross-walks Although natives and tourist stop to take their photos, not all residents are thrilled with the new settlers. With populations now in the hundreds, locals have had run-ins when jogging or bicycling, bites have been reports, as well as missing ornamental carp from local pounds and lakes.
One local citizens’ group, Ottercity which is supportive of the furry residents, has been following the “Zouk,” a wandering family of more than a dozen otters, that was displaced by stronger families and is continuing its search for a permanent home in the City State. The Zouks, so named because the original family was first noted at the location of "Zouk," a prominent Singapore nightclub, are considered the world's most “urban-adaptive” otters.
To watch the otters in action, view the BBC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7f6s2g8C0I
One local citizens’ group, Ottercity which is supportive of the furry residents, has been following the “Zouk,” a wandering family of more than a dozen otters, that was displaced by stronger families and is continuing its search for a permanent home in the City State. The Zouks, so named because the original family was first noted at the location of "Zouk," a prominent Singapore nightclub, are considered the world's most “urban-adaptive” otters.
To watch the otters in action, view the BBC Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7f6s2g8C0I
Western States Ferret Round Up - you should have been there!
Jan 2022: More than 50 people and half a dozen vendors showed up last weekend, Jan 15 and 16, in Tempe, AZ, to join ferret owners, rescuers, shelters, vendors, and ferret fanciers in person, along with their ferrets.
Key organizer of the Ferret Round Up was Patrick Wright, head of LegalizeFerrets.org, a California nonprofit, whose mission is to see domestic ferrets legalized in State of California.
Local participants from the Phoenix metro area, especially from the AZ Ferret Rescue, contributed their support and expertise to the event. They were joined by those who traveled from California, Oregon, and as far as New Jersey.
Ferrets and the human counterparts participated in the judging of the “biggest” and “smallest” ferret (“Elvis and Twiggy” contest), timed sport of “tip the cup”, ferret tube racing, and paper-bag escape, among others. Program speakers were: Dianne Simonian, director of the AZ Ferret Rescue, Manny Giuliano, retired animal cruelty officer in New Jersey, and the force behind the soon to be published children's book about an abandoned ferret: "My Name Is Musky", and Brittany from the AZ Ferret Rescue, on Ferret Biology. Bonnie Myer, and Melanie Ellis, along with many others, contributed judging and event management skills.
Although COVID placed somewhat of damper on the event (boxed meals, no buffet), great new relationships have been built. There are plans now to do this event next year in Arizona. So with lots of help from locals and others, we call this a success!
Key organizer of the Ferret Round Up was Patrick Wright, head of LegalizeFerrets.org, a California nonprofit, whose mission is to see domestic ferrets legalized in State of California.
Local participants from the Phoenix metro area, especially from the AZ Ferret Rescue, contributed their support and expertise to the event. They were joined by those who traveled from California, Oregon, and as far as New Jersey.
Ferrets and the human counterparts participated in the judging of the “biggest” and “smallest” ferret (“Elvis and Twiggy” contest), timed sport of “tip the cup”, ferret tube racing, and paper-bag escape, among others. Program speakers were: Dianne Simonian, director of the AZ Ferret Rescue, Manny Giuliano, retired animal cruelty officer in New Jersey, and the force behind the soon to be published children's book about an abandoned ferret: "My Name Is Musky", and Brittany from the AZ Ferret Rescue, on Ferret Biology. Bonnie Myer, and Melanie Ellis, along with many others, contributed judging and event management skills.
Although COVID placed somewhat of damper on the event (boxed meals, no buffet), great new relationships have been built. There are plans now to do this event next year in Arizona. So with lots of help from locals and others, we call this a success!
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BFF discovered in Colorado homeowner’s garage
Pueblo West, Colorado— Nov 10: The rarest mammal in North America made a surprise appearance inside the garage of a southern Colorado homeowner. On Nov 8th an endangered and rare black-footed ferret (BFF) was found inside a garage in Pueblo West, according to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW).
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After making the discovery, the homeowners were able to coax the ferret into a box and then contacted the CPW. The garage, located near the Walker Ranch, is where CPW and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have been releasing black-footed ferrets on a prairie dog colony in an effort to restore the endangered mammal in the wild. Since 2013, more than 120 BFFs have been released on the Walker Ranch location.
Each ferret raised for release gets a passive integrated transponder (PIT) microchip inserted between its shoulder blades. Using a scanning device, a BFF can be identified from the information contained in the PIT microchips. An officer from Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region was able to respond with a portable scanner and confirmed the ferret visitor was one of nine BFFs recently released at a 1,600-acre prairie dog colony at the Walker Ranch nearby.
After determining the garage-crashing BFF appeared healthy, Officers Cassidy English and Travis Sauder hiked deep into a Walker Ranch prairie dog colony in the dark and re-released the ferret back into the wild.
A video of the ferret's release is at: https://twitter.com/i/status/1458473929857650690
Each ferret raised for release gets a passive integrated transponder (PIT) microchip inserted between its shoulder blades. Using a scanning device, a BFF can be identified from the information contained in the PIT microchips. An officer from Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region was able to respond with a portable scanner and confirmed the ferret visitor was one of nine BFFs recently released at a 1,600-acre prairie dog colony at the Walker Ranch nearby.
After determining the garage-crashing BFF appeared healthy, Officers Cassidy English and Travis Sauder hiked deep into a Walker Ranch prairie dog colony in the dark and re-released the ferret back into the wild.
A video of the ferret's release is at: https://twitter.com/i/status/1458473929857650690
“Any Port in a Storm”-UK Couple Finds Ferret in Bed Fleeing Storm
A "large" ferret, nicknamed “Snoozy” for his love of sleeping, snuggled into the bed of a Bristol couple on Friday, Nov 26, as Storm Arwen wreaked havoc on the region. As the storm battered the city outside, a dark sable male ferret was found snuggled up in the bed of a Bristol couple, having snuck into their house. “Quite a large chap for a ferret.”
Escaped ferret “Snoozy” slipped out of his owner's home found sleeping in a neighbor’s bed
Once discovered, the baffled couple contacted local vets. Highcroft Vets checked him over the following day, christening him “Stinky Pete” after the character in 1995 Pixar cartoon film, Toy Story. After posting photos of the ferret on social media, the veterinary office was swarmed with ferret-related calls.
The ferret was then transferred to the Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), where he was renamed “Snoozy,” due to his perpetual dozing. “It must have been quite a shock for the couple,” said a spokesperson for Bristol ARC. “Ferrets are really clever and love to escape, and they are terrific diggers, so it’s actually quite hard to keep them contained sometimes. Obviously he’s got out but found himself at night in the big, cold winter storm, so has found a catflap and gone inside to get warm and dry.”
“We don’t know the details of the couple who found him, but apparently he got into their bed in the middle of the night. Maybe they have pets of their own and are used to them getting on the bed, but they would not have expected a ferret,” she added.
"Snoozy" weighed in at about a kilo [~ 2.2 pounds), "which is pretty big for a ferret. We’ve been calling him Snoozy, because he was obviously pretty tired from his adventure and has spent most of the time with us sleeping,” she said.
Appeals to find the real owner of the ferret met with success. “Snoozy” has now been reunited with his owners.
From: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/couple-discover-ferret-hiding-bed-25583580
The ferret was then transferred to the Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), where he was renamed “Snoozy,” due to his perpetual dozing. “It must have been quite a shock for the couple,” said a spokesperson for Bristol ARC. “Ferrets are really clever and love to escape, and they are terrific diggers, so it’s actually quite hard to keep them contained sometimes. Obviously he’s got out but found himself at night in the big, cold winter storm, so has found a catflap and gone inside to get warm and dry.”
“We don’t know the details of the couple who found him, but apparently he got into their bed in the middle of the night. Maybe they have pets of their own and are used to them getting on the bed, but they would not have expected a ferret,” she added.
"Snoozy" weighed in at about a kilo [~ 2.2 pounds), "which is pretty big for a ferret. We’ve been calling him Snoozy, because he was obviously pretty tired from his adventure and has spent most of the time with us sleeping,” she said.
Appeals to find the real owner of the ferret met with success. “Snoozy” has now been reunited with his owners.
From: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/couple-discover-ferret-hiding-bed-25583580
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