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INDIANAPOLIS STAR (Indiana) 08 September 03 Indiana weighing exotic pet rules - Monkeypox cases prompt animal health board to look at limits on sales, distribution. (Diana Penner)
A late spring outbreak of monkeypox that sickened several Hoosiers is prompting state officials to consider new regulations on exotic pets.
A state emergency order banning the sale and distribution of animals considered to pose the greatest threat -- including prairie dogs -- is set to expire in October. But a federal ban on the importation of Gambian rats, rope squirrels, dormice and other species continues.
Dr. Sandra Norman, companion animal and equine director at the Indiana Board of Animal Health, said state officials are investigating permanent rules to govern the sale and distribution of exotic pets. Part of that discussion will involve defining "exotic" pets.
Regulations could be developed by early 2004, she said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that seven Indiana residents contracted monkeypox, a milder cousin of smallpox. The illnesses were traced to pet prairie dogs and some African rodents that were imported in early April. Some of the animals were sold in May at a reptile show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The Indiana cases were among 72 investigated in six states as the disease made its first appearance in the Western Hemisphere in early June. The CDC confirmed 37 human cases nationwide.
Five Hoosiers were hospitalized with the disease, including a 6-year-old girl from Berne in northeastern Indiana. None died.
The state still is awaiting the results of tests on animals sent to the CDC -- including the prairie dog believed to have infected the 6-year-old and her mother.
Norman said the state recommended that animals at 11 locations -- two businesses and nine homes -- be euthanized, based on a CDC guideline.
Most animal owners complied voluntarily, Norman said, and 15 animals were euthanized. A Johnson County owner of two prairie dogs has resisted. An administrative hearing on the case is pending before the Board of Animal Health.
In the interim, the owner is keeping the animals quarantined, Norman said.
Education may be the ultimate answer. Norman said it's important for people to learn more about animals -- including dogs and cats -- before acquiring a pet.
"The bond we have with (dogs and cats) -- that picture is a little more crystallized," she said. "The bond we have with wild animals is a little more fuzzy.
"What we can do is to encourage people not to bite off more than they can chew."
Indiana weighing exotic pet rules

It would be great if all they did were to encourage people to be educated before buying any pet. however we all know that what will probably be the result is another law restricting the rights of the people of Indiana.
If we do not educate the public and police ourselves then they (the government) will do it for us!!!!!!!!
Take time to set up small educational talks in your community and dont try to make money on them, some places will offer you a small fee from 20 to 100 dollars to do these, however if the $$$ is your reason for doing it then maybe you should be out selling insurance.
Hoosier Reptiles gladly did well over a dozen education programs this year alone, and collected less than 300.00 dollars in doing so. I am sure we did not break even.
Just do it!!!!!!;E
Hoosier Reptiles