California's ferret drama continues

Ferrets may be kept as pets in every state except California and Hawaii, mainly because some legislators and environmentalists years ago worried that domesticated ferrets might escape, start feral colonies and disturb the ecosystem.

But ferret advocates, such as Californians for Ferret Legalization, disagree and for years have tried to get the state law repealed. A recent commentary in the San Francisco Chronicle argues their case, reporting some new developments in the ferret wars.

Photo: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times

In the piece, Christie Keith writes that the most recent California legislative activity on ferrets occured in 2006, when the ferret amnesty bill SB 89, designed only to grandfather in ferrets already living in California (and even then only if they were neutered and microchipped), passed the California Assembly by 64-12 and the Senate 27-2.

But the bill was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who some thought would sign it, given that he'd co-starred with a ferret in "Kindergarten Cop," Keith writes. The governor decided giving amnesty to California's ferrets required an environmental impact report.

Now, a group called LegalizeFerrets.org recently announced that a donor was willing to pay the cost of the environmental impact report the governor said he needed before he could grant amnesty to California's ferrets or consider their legalization, Keith reports.

The battle is at a stalemate, essentially.

In the story, Dave Gaines, of the legal and legislative committee of the American Ferret Association, helps explain why.

"At this point, (ferret legislation) is treated in California political circles as part of a humorous, goofy issue," Gaines says. "And it would take somebody with a lot of — well 'courage' is really the only word — to introduce this bill, somebody who could withstand being laughed at."

The photo was taken back in 2003 of ferrets Sissy, Bro and Pogo (left to right) of Studio City are among the ferrets that could gain legal status as pets someday.

Also, a live ferret cam maintained by the Smithsonian chronicles a black-footed ferret, and may help satisfy California's ferret lovers' hope to see one of the critters.

-Francisco Vara-Orta

Comments

[mmhurst]

While they may seem exotic, ferrets were domesticated in ancient Egypt predating the domestication of cats. All ferrets sold in the United States are European descendants of such creatures. They are hardly wild and should not be confused with the black-footed ferret of North America, which is an endangered species. Pet ferrets are easily litter box trained with amusing friendly personalities and make good companion animals for many people. They have been bread as such for thousands of years.

[Tannim]

The real reason the Legislature and Governor won't legalize them is because they know the ferrets are smarter and more lovable than they are and can take their jobs!

[Pickles]

I am a criminal, I have a FERRET.
Anybody that has a ferret knows that if it was released/escaped to the outside environment it would die in a few days.
Domesticated ferrets do not have the hunting ability to fend for themselves.

[Sandaili]

What is there to laugh at? Don't these government workers have pets of their own? How about we make their DOMESTIC pets illegal. That way the Department of Fish and Game can come to their house, take them, and put them to sleep. We'll see who cares about being laughed at then. This farce needs to stop.

[Jennifer]

I'm from Texas, and luckily for me ferrets are legal here. My ferret demonstrates multiple times per day how she would not survive in the wild. Doesn't want to eat anything but her ferret food or her treats. Is more interested in scratching an itch than the enormous human touching her soft underbelly. Most dogs and cats have better survival instincts.
As Tannim said above if she were to get out alone, while I'd like to give her intelligence some credit, I'm too paranoid, and she'd likely die in a couple of days, probably by a big stray DOG or something.
I have a hard time letting her run free about the house because, like most ferrets, she likes the smell and to chew on rubber, and finds power cords rather interesting. On top of that wonderful note, she is terrified of grass.

I can understand what they're saying in the article about a law legalizing ferrets, of all things, being silly. It seems like a rather stupid thing to be arguing about, with everything else going on. Considering, however, that they are legal in all other states but Hawaii, and that it is usually the case, they should just let the individual counties/cities of California determine whether or not it is legal to keep a ferret as a pet. Personally I believe it makes the entire state of California and its government look backwards when they can't even decide on ferrets as pets when there are greater issues at hand.

[Lisa]

I have to agree. I live in Georgia, and I'm thankful that ferrets are legal here. We got our first for our kids last year for Christmas, and yesterday adopted 2 more from a lady who no longer had the time for them. They are wonderful companions, are amazing spirit-lifters, and are the smartest pet I have ever had, and I've had some good ones. They have such personalities that they become real family members very quickly. I don't see what the big deal is about. People who own ferrets are not likely to let the fuzzies get away and not go looking for them. That would be like not looking for one of your kids! I think the State of California's concerns are probably without a lot of merit.