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

Book Review: Hide and Seek by Amy Shojai

                        

 

Hide and Seek is the sequel to Lost and Found. I couldn’t buy this book fast enough when I found out it was for sale. I love how Amy Shojai weaves the story from both September and Shadow’s point of view in a smooth way. Not many writers can do that.

I would have devoured this book in one session if I didn’t have to work. So it took three days but WOW! September and Shadow make a great team and working though their own issues that haunt them makes for a riveting story line.

Hinted at in the first book Lost and Found September’s past has landed squarely in her hometown just a month after September’s live radio broadcast of nearly being killed. Wild animals and pets start acting strangely along with a rise of Alzheimer’s in the town's population or is it something else?

Can September and Shadow learn to trust ever again? What about Macy? Will she ever let Shadow have a good doggy sniff of her? To find out you will have to read Hide and Seek for yourself. I can’t wait for the next book about these characters.

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo and the crew

Update: Yesterday we started a campaign to get to Blog Paws with a goal of selling 300 ferrets  with adding new ones besides the choice of fabric. So here is Hearts

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

National Wildlife Week

     I am dedicating this week to two wildlife organizations that I believe in and support. They are Skye Spirit's Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (SSWREC) and the Prairie Wildlife Research (PWR). Enthusiastic and dedicated individuals run both of these organizations. Who have made a difference in the lives of the wildlife they have helped.

     Today’s focus is on Skye Spirit’s Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center.

     MaryJane Arroya opened SSWREC in 1998 in an effort to help injured wildlife regain their health and return to the wild. She has not only put her heart and soul into caring for these animals she has used her own money when donations weren’t available to sustain operations.

     Each year the amount of baby animals she receives increases because of human interaction, other animals, and nature. This last week she received a baby bird that was just coming out of its shell. It was found on the ground so no one knew what happened that caused it to be there with the bottom half of the shell still attached.

     Baby squirrels were brought to her after a trailer had been bought and moved several miles from where it had been. They were found when the new owners started cleaning the trailer. Luckily for these little guys it was only hours and not days before they were found.

     MaryJane’s main passion is for the birds of prey. These beautiful hunters come into her care after a car or a tractor-trailer has hit them as they swooped down on their prey. Many recover from their injuries and are released back into the wild.

     Those unable to be returned to the open skies are able to have a life at SSWREC and help with fostering younger birds along with helping to educate the public about these large birds.

     This weekend, April 24, 2010, SSWREC is having a baby shower for all the baby animals she has and will receive. As part of the Be the Change challenge I am having a give away I would like to present SSWREC with a donation of 50 dollars that will be doubled by the generosity of an anonymous family at the baby shower.

     I will give away to two lucky commenter/pledges their choice of a dog or cat surprise from Nip and Bones , or tote bag from enlightened ferret

     First the disclaimer: This give away is not sponsored by anyone but me and I am receiving no compensation other than the feeling joy and accomplishment from this give away.

How to enter:

Donate at least a dollar using the widget.

 

     Leave me a comment saying you donated and which prize you would like.

     If  from nip and bones tell me if it is for a dog or cat. For a dog the size and age of the dog.

Extra entries:

Tweet: I just helped SSWREC help an animal u can 2 by donating here http://bit.ly/9Ti0ww

Join SSWREC FB page

     You can leave me a note saying that you have done either or both. Just leave me your twitter name and your FB name.

Contest ends at the end April 25.

Jo

One Woman’s Effort to Help Wildlife Survive.

     Most of us take for granted the beauty that the Creator set in front of us. We don’t take time to enjoy watching the fawn nibbling at the grass next to his mother. We only give a passing glance to the large bird flying past. Only when something is right on top of us do we even notice it exists.
 
     MaryJane Angelo is different in that she sees the animals for what they are. Beautiful creatures that belong in the wild. For many if it had not been for the intervention and hard work they would have died from the injuries they had received because of human interference.

     In 1998, Skye Spirit’s Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (SSWREC) opened its doors in Western Pennsylvania. SSWREC has helped many return to the wild with a new release on life. Those that cannot be release find a new home on the acreage of SSWREC and help to educate the public about their species and the laws concerning them.

     One such resident of SSWREC is a young male bobcat that surprised a hunter in the Pocono’s in February of 2006. He is lucky that the hunter didn’t shoot him when he started acting like an overgrown cat. At the time, he weighed around five pounds and his ribs were showing.
 

     He was taken to the local wildlife rehabilitation center and was then taken to their vet. An x-ray revealed that he had an obstruction in his intestinal tract requiring emergency surgery. The obstruction turned out to be a latex dog toy. It is believed that someone without the proper permits had raised him as a pet from infancy. This beautiful cat cannot be released because he believes all humans are his friends.

     MaryJane’s specialty is birds of prey. Many  are returned to the wild and those left behind help to foster orphaned offspring. Those that don’t make it because of their injuries are remembered by a single feather kept in a special place. There are also photos. One picture is of a bald Eagle that didn’t survive flying into power lines and was electrocuted.
 
     Volunteers have built many of the structures on the land with the supplies donated by local businesses. An Eagle Scout's project was building the songbird enclosure. Only this last weekend several of the structures were damaged because of high winds dropping debris, such as a power pole to one. Luckily, none of the rehabilitating wildlife was injured.

     At any given time SSWREC has 40-65 animals recovering from injuries or have been orphaned. The amount of animals normally slows down in the wintertime because of migration and hibernation. Only to increase during baby season, mainly bunnies, March to October.

     SSWREC has had a few set backs due to donating suppliers closing and leaving them without other options for obtaining live food for the birds of prey other than out of pocket expense.

     A ray of hope shines as an anonymous family has decided to double all donations made to SSWREC for the next 16 days. This is only way someone can donate to a good cause. The other is by recycling ink cartridge.

     SSWREC is a non-profit organization that runs solely on donations from the public.


Jo