Legalizing Ferrets In California

Ferrets have been banned in California since 1932 when the Fish and Game declared the ferret a wild animal.

Legalizeferrets.org has been working hard to get the ban lifted. Just recently the California Fish and Game listened to those that supported lifting the ban and the few who wished to keep the ban in place. While the meeting ended with the ban staying in place.

The new president, Eric Sklar, is willing to keep hearing about getting ferrets legalized but he has suggested that we work towards getting a bill on to the legislative floor.

The lifting of this ban would allow ferret outlaws (owners) to be able to have their pets without fear of losing them. As it stands now once a ferret is known about the owner has 24-48 hours to get to their ferret out of the state otherwise the ferret would be euthanized. At least the ferret owner has a chance to rescue their pet, unlike some BLS laws that just remove and kill without reason.

Between the entertainment industry and the media, ferrets are portrayed as wild and evil creatures. The sensationalizing of events involving a ferret sometimes is more than when the media report on a dog attack but say it is the result of a pit bull when in many cases that wasn't the breed involved.

Here are just a few facts about ferrets.

1. Ferrets have been domesticated for over 3000 years.

2. Ferrets do not do well in temperatures over 68 degrees (20 celsius)

California can get over 100 degrees (37.7 Celsius) in the summer.

3. Ferrets do not do well in temperatures under 30 degrees (1.1 Celsius)

4. The only ferret in the Wild in the USA is the Black-Footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) who is actually a cousin to the ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

5. Ferrets are related to the weasel, otter, and mink. People that say they have seen a wild ferret more than likely have seen a mink.

6. Ferrets are NOT rodents. They were domesticated to hunt rodents and rabbits.

7. Ferrets are the third most owned companion pet in the US after cats and dogs.

8. Ferrets are known as domesticated exotics. This differs from the standard exotic animal which is often taken from the wild. Exotic means unusual or different. See #1

9. Ferrets can get heartworms and it only takes one to kill them.

10. Ferrets live on average 7-10 years.

11. Ferrets can be vaccinated against rabies and distemper.

I am asking that all of my followers write letters to the California State Senate and the State Assembly via email urging them to legalize ferrets. Granted there are nearly 400 representatives with these combined lists but if we can get every one of them on the ferret owners side then just maybe a bill will be created and passed allowing ferrets to live openly in California and also open up to those of us with ferrets to visit California. Both options will add more money to the economy of California.


You can view some of the meeting here

Please Help Us Become Legal in California

“I Have a Dream…”

 

That line is from a famous speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in August of 1963. He was given a holiday by President Ronald Regan in 1983. It is to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday which is January 15th, but the holiday is celebrated on the third Monday of January.

Iz not a speech maker but Iz too have a dream.

Mez Dream is that all ferrets be free to bring their pet Hoomans out of the darkness of fear an into the light of encouragement.

That ferrets and pet Hoomans can live in harmony and not under the persecutions of misguided entities trying to squash the love between ferrets and their pet Hoomans.

It is mez hope that the dream starts tomorrow with the New York City Board of Health recognizing the good our small furry paws can do with the ban on us lifted.

It is also mez hope that the state of California will sit up and take notice of the movement and will take a long look at their prejudice  towards us ferrets and also remove their ban.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day Iz ask you to help bring this dream a paw step closer by signing this petition to Introduce Ferret Legalization to Legislation so at the very least the California Legislation will put the matter on the rolls to hear from the pet Hoomans and not just those that wish to oppress us ferrets.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Manny

Lift the Ban!

New York City’s Board of Health is going to have a hearing on January 21, 2014 with regards to lifting the ban on owning ferrets in NYC.

New York City has had a ban on ferrets since 1999 when then Mayor Giuliani and a ferret enthusiast got into a heated debate on the radio. Since that time ferret owners in New York City  have been considered criminals and could have their ferret(s) confiscated if found. 

Which means that many ferret owners are taking risks every time they take their beloved fur ball to the vet where they could be turned in to the authorities or worse the vets who look the other way are not fully trained in ferret care and often charge outrageous sums for the green papers hoomans give each other.

They have already had one hearing on December 9, 2013 which opened up many of the debates that California Wildlife and Game commission has used to keep ferrets illegal in that state.

Some of those debates include that we, ferrets, enjoy gnawing on little children and news stories have shown up where we have supposedly attacked children. One in particular that happened in Missouri has never been completely substantiated one way or the other as to if that ferret did indeed do what it was accused of doing be for being murdered in a horrific way.

We don’t gnaw on children. We might lick off any food residue on their tiny hands. Or if they are infants in a car seat on the floor and they are making squeaking noises we might think they are a kit (a baby ferret) and will try to take them to where we feel they will be safe. Or we might think they are our favorite toy and try to replace it back in our hide hole.  Hooman has often over the years said that ferrets and small children do not mix.

Like most animals we can be prone to certain viruses and rabies is one of the most common viruses out there. Depending on the research there hasn’t been more than 20 cases of ferrets having rabies  since 1954 in the United States that may because there are vaccinations for rabies. Responsible hoomans take us in for yearly vaccinations.

Our hooman would not be able to travel to different places or take us to ferret shows without us being vaccinated against rabies and distemper.

As for breeding. Many of us come from large chain pet stores and we have already been fixed and have had our anal glands removed. While not having our anal glands does help lessen our signature musky smell it does not eliminated it as the musky scent comes from the oils in our skin. That smell is what puts us in the category of mustelidae.

As for getting out of a building and setting up a colony of feral ferrets seems farfetched as we don’t tend to do well in temperatures over 70 degrees and with some of the below zero temps not many would survive. But one of the possible upsides to that scenario is that New York City might not have the rat problem as we were originally domesticated to hunt rodents.

Our hooman describes us as a kitten and a two year old rolled into one and we never grow up. I guess that means we are constantly looking for new things to play with when we are not sleeping.

We can be litter trained like a cat and walk in a harness on a lead like a dog. We are inquisitive to the world around us and have a short lifespan.  Why should the New York City Board of Health deny ferret owners the right to have their pet without worry. I am sure there is a larger cat and dog population in NY then there are ferrets but until the ban is lifted no one will ever know for sure.

Maybe, just maybe if New York does lift its ban California will take notice and start working towards legalizing ferrets there.

We at Enlightened Ferret would love to have some of our New York City friends attend this hearing and if you have met us let the board of health know just how unique and well mannered we were to you and your pet as we have met many of you through Blog Paws.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Manny

Did You Know?

Did you know that a bunch of ferrets are called a Business? In the world of ferrets, pet hoomans say it is their Buzyness that earned them that title.

Did you know that a ferret can learn to use the litter box like a cat? Or use puppy pads.

Did you know that a ferret’s tooth grows from the tip up?

Did you know that baby ferrets called kits have 30 teeth by the time they are 3 months old and should have lost their baby teeth by the time they are 9 months old?

Did you know that adult ferrets have 34 teeth?

Did you know that a ferret can be trained to walk on a leash?

Did you know that a ferret can sleep up to eighteen hours a day?

Did you know that a fixed boy ferret is called a Gib and a fixed girl is a sprite?

Did you know that ferrets are illegal in New York City, Washington D.C, California, and most military bases?

Did you know that the ferret have been domesticated for over two thousand year?

Did you know that the ferret’s Latin name Mustela putorius furo means stinky little thief?

 

Now you know.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

I Have a Dream

 

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day in the United States he is famous for his 1963 Washington D.C. speech “I have a Dream” given in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Like Martin Luther King Jr. I also have a dream.

Mine is that California removes its unrealistic ban on ferrets and legalizes their residency.

My dream is that others come to understand ferrets and that all the myths and misconceptions are wiped out.

It is also my dream that all the homeless ferrets find their special forever home and never have to want again

Until then my dream is that all the caring people who foster, shelter, and rescue these wonderful little guys are well funded by those that can help make a difference in the day-to-day operations.

Just one bag of food can help reduce the amount needed.

Just one $10 donation to a vet care fund can pay for a month of medication for those in need of adrenal and insulinoma meds.

Just one case of paper towels, Simple Green, or other cleaning supplies help reduce the outgoing costs that can be spent on the ferrets.

What is your dream?

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

On The Radio!

I meet Steve Dale at Blog Paws and we hit it off and he asked to do interview with me about ferrets and today the bit aired.

Please take a listen.

 

Have a Chittering Day,

Jo

Featured Ferret: Fig

 

 

Hi world,

My other hoomans named me Fig but they had to move and the place they are living now don’t allow any critters. Can you believe that? No pets what so ever. My poor hoomans are going to be so lonely without me.

Right now I am exploring the Kitsap Humane Society here in Silverdale, WA. I was showing this hooman I could do some of the paperwork. That was until they got out the clicky box to snap this picture of me.

I am a six month old boy who has experience with cats. I get overly excited and tend to be nippy. With the right hooman I will out grow that bad habit. But it is so hard to control myself when I want to play so much.

I am hoping to find new hoomans that have the energy to keep up with me and let me explore new things. Do you know the perfect hooman for me?

 

Disclosure: I get no compensation for featuring ferrets from the Pet Finder site or from the shelters that they are residing at. The bios for each ferret are my own created from the information available and are works of fiction unless otherwise noted.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Jake and Jasper: A Ferret Tale

I am always on the lookout for anything that showcases ferrets in a good light. There are too many negative examples out there. So when I started seeing tweets from @Jake_and_Jasper asking if they should do a podcast about the film I had to know more.

 

I emailed Alison the film’s director and asked for an email interview which she graciously gave. Her excitement was easy to see in her words and I can’t wait until the film is completed and offered for sale.

With that said here is the interview.

EF: I've read the blurb about the movie and wonder how you came on the idea?

I'm a filmmaker, but I'm also a ferret owner, so I've always tried to include them in my film projects.  My ferrets have been in several commercials for Marshall Pet Products and I also volunteered my services for a commercial for legalizeferrets.org which aired on TV in Los Angeles. 

I had always wanted to do a film about ferrets, but didn't have an idea for a story.  Then a few months ago I saw a short film made in Ireland that has the word ferret in the title (I don't want to promote it).  I was SO excited - but severely disappointed. 

In the film, the boy gets a ferret, but it's a working ferret that hunts rabbits, and the ferret ends up biting him on the nose.  The father returns the ferret to where they got it.  As soon as I saw that I KNEW I had to make a film about a boy and a ferret that showed ferrets in a positive light. 

The boy in this film, Jake (Played by Connor Stanhope, "Smallville"), is struggling to cope with the death of his mother and retreats from his family and the world at large.  He doesn't talk, doesn't smile, and gets into fights at school.  His sister Jesse (Played by Laci Mailey) gives him a pet ferret named Jasper, and they develop a very strong bond.  We'll see the ferret actually pry Jake from his shell and help him to smile, laugh and feel love again.

I love animal movies.  They always make me cry.  You're going to cry. 

EF: From whose point of view is the movie? Jake's or Jasper's?

 It's from Jake's point of view, but I think it would be great to make another film that is from the ferret's point of view.  In fact, someone has already contacted me with a script idea for this. :)

EF: How old is Jasper the ferret?

Jasper, which is played by my ferret Falcor, is just over 1 year old.  He's my little monkey man.

EF: Is Jasper the only ferret being used in the movie?

No.  There will be body doubles!  As any ferret owner knows, ferrets have one speed, one gear: GO!  They go hard for a couple hours and then sleep.  This is a problem when filming.  I will be bringing my other ferret Frisco who looks identical to Falcor, to be used in any wide shots where we can't see the face close up.  I'll also be putting the word out in Vancouver for dark sable ferrets to be used as backups.  Ideally I'd like to have 10 or more ferrets as backups but we'll see what happens.

EF: What else can you tell us about Jasper and Jake?

 I could go on and on!  I'm so excited about this film!  And it's been getting a tremendous response from the public, mainly ferret owners.  If you watch the promo video , you may notice in the end credits that I dedicate this film to animal lovers and ferret parents (farents) around the world.  I'm so tired of how ferrets are portrayed in the media.  It's always negative.  Either they're being shown as aggressive, being called rodents, stinky, etc, or the film only shows them for a few seconds.  So here's a film now where the ferret is one of the main characters, and it shows the joy and love a ferret can bring to your life.  There's going to be a montage in the film (because every film needs a montage!) that shows the bonding experience with Jake & Jasper; it will show Jake putting food and water in Jasper's cage, teaching him tricks, Jasper dragging his shoes around the room, etc.  I'm really excited about that part.  I also wanted to be sure to show a bit of the responsibility it takes to care for a ferret. 

After a fight with his father, Jake runs away to a forest with Jasper where he will encounter many animals such as a skunk, a fawn, a black wolf, and more.  Being an animal lover, this is a dream come true for me.  It's also a dream role for Connor Stanhope, who just happens to be an animal lover as well.  He's already developed a bond with Falcor in real life!  But we need to raise $10,000 to fill the forest with these animals as they are very expensive, so hopefully we are successful with that.  Anyone who donates will get a picture of their ferret in a special feature on the DVD, plus there are many more perks, like getting your name in the end credits, pre-ordered autographed DVD's, posters, and lots more.  We have until August 12 2011 to raise the money.  Here's the link for anyone who'd like to be a part of this special film: http://www.indiegogo.com/Jake-Jasper-A-Ferret-Tale

EF: Who is producing the film? Or is producer and director one in the same?

Director and Producer are not the same thing, but in this case it kinda is.  Because this is a low budget film, I can't afford to hire people to do all the producing for me.  So I do the bulk of it myself.  However I've just brought on 2 other producers to help lighten the workload for me a bit!

EF: Where is the film going to/being made?

Our forest scenes will be filmed in Langley, BC, Canada.  I haven't locked down the locations for the rest of the film but they will be in or around Vancouver, BC.  The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful place.  Mountains, forests, ocean.  It's perfect.

EF: What is your projected cost of making this movie?

Ask me tomorrow.  Ha ha.  It keeps going up as things move along and I come up with new ideas.  I know it will be the $10,000 on the animals and animal wrangler alone.  In addition to that, I have to rent equipment, pay for locations, permits, food for the crew, transportation, etc.  This could easily be another $10,000.  I'm currently trying to secure sponsorship for the film to help cover these costs.  And that's only the production part of things.  More money will be spent on post-production, but I'll be editing it myself to save money.   I'm blessed to have an awesome cast and crew who are all volunteering.  If it wasn't for them, there's no way this could happen.  Special thanks to my camera department team Shawn Seifert (also the Director of Photography), Jesse Vance and Salo Saade.  They work with me a lot and do a stellar job.  They also don't complain about working with animals.  They're used to it now.  I reward them with chocolate and ice cream when I can.  :)

EF: How long will it take to make the movie?

 It will probably be about 4 days of filming.  I haven't set the shooting dates yet but it will be shot at the end of August.

EF: Where will the first DVDs be released?

That is a loaded question, actually.  We have to make the festival circuit first.  I'll be submitting the film to film festivals around the world.  After that, the DVD's will be released.  Hopefully in stores, if we can get distribution.  If not, I will be selling them independently online.  Anyone who donates $25 or more to the film gets a pre-ordered DVD autographed by at least 1 cast member and myself.  Please be patient though, as sometimes you can't submit to a film festival if the movie is already on DVD.

EF: I don't know much about film festivals other than Cannes what other ones are there?

There are thousands of film festivals all around the world.  Cannes is definitely the biggest, but almost every city has its own festivals as well.  Big ones that I may be submitting this film to include Slamdance, Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Chicago, St. Louis, Cleveland, Whistler, Victoria, etc.  Getting selected at some of the festivals I just mentioned can even qualify a film to be considered for an Oscar nomination.

EF: Will those that donate get a % off of the price or just get to have pictures of their ferret(s) in the DVD?

$25 or more and they get a DVD for (free).  I have to laugh about your question though.  I think ferret owners would buy this DVD just to see their ferrets in the special feature ha-ha.

EF: Other than Twitter where else might we find information about Jake and Jasper: A ferret Tale?

Our official website is http://www.jake-and-jasper.com, our Facebook fan page is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jake-Jasper-A-Ferret-Tale/178763242181186 and the IndieGoGo site where you can donate to the film is at http://www.indiegogo.com/Jake-Jasper-A-Ferret-Tale

EF: Can you break down how much it will cost for each animal you need for the forest scene? I saw on twitter that an owl is $135. Is that for the animal and handler?

Sure!

Skunk = $1000,

Raccoon = $1000,

Black Wolf = $1000,

Bats = $1000,

Rabbit = $400,

Frogs = $100,

Fawn = $4500. 

These prices all include the cost of an animal wrangler as well.  The owl is actually $1000.  What you saw on twitter is that we are $135 away from having raised enough for the Owl.  As I write this, we've raised enough for the skunk, wolf, and rabbit.

I learned a lot from Alison about this film and I hope you will give the sites a visit and maybe help this film get made.

Have a Chittering good day,

Jo

Update: Just before posting Alison let me know that they raised the money for the owl and frogs and are now on their way to getting the raccoon.

Come on California See Beyond the Old Thoughts

     Once again the legalization of ferrets is brought up along with the old song of why they are illegal in California in the first place. While the reason may have been valid when the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) put it into place those reasons are no longer valid.

     If California were to legalize ferrets and give amnesty to those already living in California the state would benefit in a number of ways. One of which could be the registration and licensing of the nearly one million ferrets living as outlaws in California. The other would be from the revenue that could be produced by sanctioned ferret shows.

     It was pointed out in the The Orange County Register online paper’s comment section by some people that ferrets are legal in almost every state except Hawaii that was called a hold out state. What most of these people don’t realize the reason Hawaii won’t legalize ferrets is because of the native birds that ferrets could decimate like they did in New Zealand.

     It was pointed out that most ferrets aren’t sold intact so they can’t reproduce but there is a flaw with that statement in that some are sold ready to breed and that is what needs to be addressed before the law can be fully repealed. In Pennsylvania you must have a license to breed ferrets. If you don’t have that license you are not allowed to own a “whole” ferret.

     It is also true that ferrets have lost most of their survival instincts but they still have the urge to eat and will kill small rodents which is what they were bred for in the first place. As to the destruction of plant life we as human beings do more damage by hiking outdoor. Finding water isn’t really that hard a ferret only needs a few drops here and there when they are on a quest. What will kill a ferret if he/she got loose would be the heat. Ferrets prefer a nice temperature of around 65 degrees any hotter and they can suffer from heat stroke in a matter of minutes.

     Another commenter stated that ferrets are pretty fragile creatures. Yes in some instances they can be easily broken but if you ask anyone that has owned a number of ferrets they will tell you that they are also very agile and can survive a lot more than they are given credit for. The fragility comes from the number of diseases that can kill a ferret and their reactions to different vaccines.

     Another thing to consider before condemning the CDFG about their rules/laws is that the law has been on the books for a long time and the current officials may not agree with it any longer but can’t change the rules without a study and what right minded official is going to suggest a study about releasing X number of ferrets into the wild to see if the fears are correct? There are too many organizations out there that would object.

     I must remind you I am from California and now a ferret owner. When I lived in California I didn’t know what a ferret was besides those that were in movies. Now that I live Pennsylvania and have had the opportunity to own these fascinating creatures I would never move back to California unless they did legalize ferrets but I also understand how politics work.

     A non-profit group called California Domestic Ferret Education Alliance (CDFEA) is working to educate people about ferrets. Education is needed as one commenter called a ferret’s offspring “pups” when they are called kits. The same as when a fox has her babies.

     It was also brought up about ferrets attacking children. Pet ownership is a responsibility no matter what animal you have. Ferrets are highly inquisitive and will check out anything that squeaks this includes infants and small children. If a ferret likes what it has found it will try to take it back to his/her hiding spot and this involves using his/her mouth.

     It is not recommended that families with small children have ferrets for this very reason. If children are visiting a home where ferrets live then the ferret owner should either put the ferret in his/her cage for the duration or place them in a room with a door away from the child. While most owners will bristle at me for saying confine their fur babies in their own home they might think about the result if their ferret bit a child. The ferret will always loose to a needle.

     It may be the CDFG vs.  ferrets for now with those rallying to get the law repelled but both sides need to sit down face to face and calmly talk out their beliefs and how to either disprove or prove them. The law has been on the books for how long? That answer has never been published in any of the articles I have read. The answer is 1933 according to Golden State Ferret Society.

     So for seventy-seven years ferrets have been on the banned list isn't it time to re-evaluate the reasons?

     All comments, reactions, thoughts, links to other information about ferrets, and recommendations are welcomed and appreciated.

     This post is in response to an article dated May 20 2010 in The Orange County Register’s online paper.

Jo