Second Announcement From The Coalition, December 12, 2001
We had been planning on sending out the following this week prior to the new Outbreak. Now that we have your attention -:)1. A study to determine if Caliciviruses other than RHD are infecting US Rabbits, hopefully creating some immunity, hopefully not creating other disease symptoms is now in full swing. We have found a laboratory to handle the tests. Several breeders from the Industry side of the Rabboit Community are participating. We are asking all interested Show, Rescue and Caretaker people to consider having your Rabbits tested. It will be a blind test. This means that the identity of the Rabbits, and their caretakers will not be given to the lab or anyone else. It will be important to safeguard your Rabbit from eradication efforts if we find anything sinister.
This is a first come first serve situation. The Rabbits from the Industry will be coming from closed facilities. After being tested they will be spayed or neutered and then transported to The Sanctuary, where they will be living out their lives. Obviously we cannot take the entire 100 Rabbits that will be tested. Therefore those of you who are willing to participate from other areas of the Rabbit Community will be essential to the success of this endeavor. Older Rabbits are preferrable. Please contact us so that you can be included and recieve info on how samples are to be taken. Do not respond to this email. You'll get a "sorry to see you unsubscribe" message if you do. Please email us at rhd@vhdcoalition.org
2. An undisclosed source has informed us that the Australian's plans to release RHD again is at a critical place. Before they can do so they were required to gain approval from various Australian Government agencies. Apparently a critical approval is soon to be given despite evidence pointing to the lack of wisdom inherrant in this act. RHD in Australia adds to the danger we face. APHIS officials once told us it wasn't a problem. "People traveling from Australia were most likely not to bring it in as most people take showers after returning from a trip." We're quoting an APHIS Vet here people. And some wonder why we have so little faith in them.
In any case, help in dissuading Australia from taking this dispicable step is needed. Marguerite Wegner has a letter and email addresses to send it to on her site. Please help by going to; Protest Letter
Through me the dumb shall speak, Till the deaf world's ear be made to hear
The wrongs of the wordless weak.
And I am my brother's keeper;
And I will fight his fight;
And speak the word for the beast and bird
Till the world sets things right."
--Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 1850-1919
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