On 5 August 2005, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) published a notice of petition and request for comments related to the possibility of developing new species-specific standards for the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of the domestic ferret (Mustela furo)1.

At present, ferrets are covered under 9 CFR, Part 3, the section of the Animal Welfare Act regulations that describe the general standards of care for warm-blooded animals.

In a petition dated 10 March 2004, the International Ferret Congress asked APHIS to develop specific regulations that address the unique needs of ferrets, as has been done for other species. The petitioners pointed to behavioral abnormalities, special needs during weaning and transportation, as well as frequent reports of malnutrition, starvation, pneumonia, prolapsed rectums, and seizures as evidence of the need for these new regulations.

APHIS is soliciting comments on the following issues:

“1. Should specific standards be implemented for the welfare of domestic ferrets? If yes, please explain what standards you believe are needed and how they will ensure ferret welfare (for example: cage size, number of animals shipped together, minimum/maximum temperatures, ventilation, transportation age, etc., and how these standards will prevent aggressive behavior, reduce stress on the animal, promote health, etc.).”

“2. What specific problems have dealers, exhibitors, or research facilities had with the current handling, care, treatment, and transportation standards that apply to ferrets and how would ferret-specific standards eliminate them?”

“3. Should there be minimum age requirements for the transportation of domestic ferrets, and, if so, what factors should be considered in determining those requirements?1”

APHIS will consider all comments received on or before 4 October 2005. Individuals can submit comments online at: http://www.epa.gov/feddocket.