From: prairie-exotics@shaw.ca
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 12:41 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: 2003N-0400 Monkeypox and Prairie dogs


NextPet
e-mail sales@nextpet.com
www.nextpet.com
  Subject: Prairie dogs and monkey pox  2003N-0400


  Dear whomever

  We have been following this issue for several months now and finally you are giving us a chance to reveal our emotions etc.

  We as a company of supplying pets feel the Prairie Dog was not the culprit in this war against Monkeypox, sure animals like humans 
  when exposed to certain disease will and can expose other animals and other humans to what ever they carry, The problem with 
  the monkeypox was in no way the fault of the prairie dogs, this disease was imported from Africa in one shipment ( maybe more who knows ) 
  from an importer that should have been more careful, and then the prairie dogs and possible other animals were exposed.

  We feel with certain guidelines the prairie dogs should be allowed to be sold to the general public, and overseas customers,

  1. Once taken from the wild a minimum of 2 weeks in an isolated area must be done.
  2. Never allow the prairie dogs to be housed, caged with any other animal, reptile besides themselves.
  3. Allow only prairie dogs to housed or kennelled or caged together in a separate facility.
  4. Possibly micro chip them so if anything happens the FDA and CDC will know right away where they were sold from.
  5. Health certificates must be issued only on the physical inspection of the prairie dogs, from the veterinarian.
  6. Animals from your list on import from Africa should not be allowed into North America 

  I hope this helps in a favourable decision to allow the sale of prairie dogs.
  Our livelihood depends on the sales of prairie dogs

  If you need further information please contact myself

  Wayne Rothermel
  Exporter/importer
  Prairie Exotics Ltd
  1-877-458-9661
  1-403-660-9516