Whenever available, the American Ferret Association recommends the use of a licensed vaccine against canine distemper in ferrets (currently only Merial's Purevax Distemper). When such a vaccine is unavailable due to shortages or other problems, the AFA recommends considering the use of a limited antigen vaccine that has a track record of safe and efficacious use in protecting ferrets. At this time, that is limited to Nobivac DPv, also known as The Puppy Shot, which has been used extensively in Europe and contains the vaccine strain formerly available as GalaxyD. Although it does also vaccinate against canine parvovirus, which ferrets do not get, it is still the most proven vaccine available at times when the licensed product is not. As always, the AFA recommends discussion of any vaccination protocol with the ferret's treating veterinarian, and use of such tools as antibody titers and risk assessment to determine the ultimate protocol used for each individual animal.

The American Ferret Association is aiming to go green whenever and wherever practical. Starting in 2012, membership renewals are being sent via email. We hope that these changes to our membership communications will result in big savings for the environment, our budget, and the amount of time required to manage memberships.

In order for this to be successful you will need to be a proactive member and follow these simple steps:

• Renew early ­ the fewer emails and letters we have to send, the more your membership dollars can be stretched and the more savings of printing ink, postage, paper, and time. You can find your membership expiration date on your membership card and also on the line above your name on the AFR mailing label.


• Share your email address ­ or addresses. We can send to multiple email addresses, as you prefer.


• Make sure you add the AFA to your email address book(s). It won't do either of us any good if you are not receiving our emails and they are ending up in your spam folder. Membership renewal notices will be coming from afaferret@gmail.com


• Keep your email address up to date in our database. You can uppdate your membership online at http://www.ferret.org/about/updateContactInfo.html

We also look forward to sending out breaking news or other messages we deem important to all AFA members that can not wait until the next newsletter cycle.

AFA does not share it's database, so you as an AFA member can feel secure in the knowledge that any information we have in our master database is safe and secure.

If you have any questions please feel free to email afaferret@gmail.com or call 1-888-FERRET-1.

Vickie McKimmey

The American Ferret Association is pleased to announce the first-ever, national ferret census! Recent research indicates that there is no accurate count of pet ferrets, in America or around the world. In addition, there is just so much information we want to know about ferrets and their humans! The new AFA survey has categories for many ferret demographics, nutrition and health information. Gathering these statistics will help in efforts to improve the care and enjoyment of these amazing pets!

Ancient China was the first culture to count its people, followed by Egypt and Greece. The Romans began population counts within the republic back in the 6th century BCE, the term census being derived from their Latin language. In the United States, the government began systematically counting the population in 1790. So, it is high time we got a more accurate count of ferrets in America and even around the world!

Top Two Reasons to Complete the AFA Ferret Census:
1. Help complete important research that will improve our care of ferrets!
2. Automatically be entered into a drawing for a free one-year AFA membership!!

We will be offering the survey online as well as in paper format. Look for this Ferret Census on the AFA web site and at our upcoming events. By completing the survey, you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a one-year membership to the AFA! Lastly, with the collection of what we hope to be large amounts of data, we will also be seeking volunteers to help collate and analyze the facts. We always need new volunteers, so come join us in this groundbreaking research!

Click here to complete the AFA Ferret Census