Excerpts From Letters From Concerned Californian's
(Rabbits that are) Companion animals are not livestock, but members of families. If you are researching, what safeguards is the State of California willing to provide my pet rabbits? Will you close the borders to rabbits and rabbit products, and any products derived from European Brown Hares, from countries where RHD and EBHV, European Brown Hare Virus, are endemic?While any help toward a cure is welcomed, you must recognize and protect the companion rabbits in California.
Carly Neubert
Lompoc, California
I am very disturbed to learn that your office is referring to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease as RCD. This is not the correct name. It adds to the confusion already running amuck about this disease. In addition I would like to know why the borders of California are not closed to rabbits and rabbit products where RHD is endemic. The OIE has some very specific guidelines for importing rabbits in regards to RHD. I see the OIE as an organization more concerned with world trade than with animal health. However the least the state could do is to follow their guidelines.
Barbara Espinoza
Creston, California
Please stop the threat of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, the same disease you have mistakenly called RCD, by closing our borders to rabbits and rabbit products where RHD and European Brown Hare Virus are endemic. If you are going to work on this issue in any way, research regarding the disease would be appreciated.
Please also recognize that rabbits are not generally livestock. I would appreciate it if you would recognize this fact. Our interests are in no way the same as cattle ranchers and should not be places in alignment with them.
Madrid Franklin
San Rafael, California
We are concerned that your office is beginning to consider rabbits as livestock. This would greatly impact in a negative way many people who raise rabbits.
My family has been raising rabbits for over forty years. We are very concerned about the threat of RHD. Can your office see that our borders are closed to any products or animals that might carry this threat into our state?
Sylvanna Martinelli
Templeton, California
I have grave concerns about the what the future holds for our companion rabbits and for those of us who have committed our lives to these delightful, albeit vulnerable, creatures. I hope that I am making the proper assumption that CDFA's interest has a positive direction. I feel it is crucial that California be first in line and take a pro-active approach to this potential disaster. I would like to see well thought out, sophisticated plans and procedures in place coming from a "preventive" stance before the outbreak occurs versus "corrective" which would be after the fact, too late, and resulting in a major impact to the animal community.
Jan Davidson
Fish Camp, California
I am very worried about RHD and the effect it might have on the rabbits in households here in our state. What can the State Veterinarian's office do to protect these precious animals? I do not understand why nothing as been done already. I am also concerned that you will considering rabbits as livestock in the future. I beg you to please put safety measures in place.
Francis Pollak
Oxnard, California
You Too Can Help Influence Policy In California!
To see the Coalition's Letter to Dr. Breitmeyer, Click HereTo write to our State Veterinarian, please address your letters to;
Dr. Richard Breitmeyer
CA Dept. of Food & Agriculture
1220 "N" Street, Room A-114
Sacramento, CA 95814
If you live in the 33 State Assembly District, please write to
Assembly Person Abe Maldonado
1302 Marsh Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
To read about our campaign to protect California's Wildlife Click Here
To write to the Department of Fish and Game to express concern for Wildlife, please address your letters to
Department of Fish and Game Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Division
Deputy Director, Sonke Mastrup
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, California 95814
If you can assist the Coalition in this campaign or in our other educational efforts, please Become A Volunteer! If your time is unavailable, you can still help by Donating!
--Paul A. Samuelson, 1915 - 
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