Free the ferrets, help the state budget, says ferret advocate
The leader of a pro-ferret group sees a connection between the California state government's budget morass and its refusal to join 48 other states in legalizing ferret ownership.
"How can a government that consistently and blatantly ignores the reasonable requests of its citizens ever hope to be fiscally responsible?" writes Pat Wright, leader of LegalizeFerrets.org.
Dropping the ban on ferrets could boost the state's coffers, Wright argues, through sales taxes, registration and licensing fees and permits.
"These two issues -- the state budget and the ban on domestic ferrets -- are twin symptoms of the rampant fiscal management and top-down bad decision-making that has been going on in California for decades," Wright adds.
-- Tony Perry, San Diego
Photo: Los Angeles Times
We should also legalize pet skunks in California. It would help the economy. There is finally a rabies test which doesn't involve killing the animal. We also have rabies vaccinations for ferrets and skunks. They post no threat to people or the environment. Mandatory spay neuter and microchipping would be fine. Ferrets and domestic skunks are legal as pets in most other states with no adverse effects at all.
Posted by: Soosie | February 04, 2009 at 12:30 PM
It amazes me that a state that admits that there are over a half a million of those cute little ferrets owned & living illegally here in California with NO ILL EFFECTS on the Environment, would continue to say that they are a danger to THE ENVIRONMENT! Dogs and cats do much more harm than a ferret ever could.
Posted by: J Mitchell | February 05, 2009 at 09:55 AM
I couldn't agree more. Most ferret owners in California would be completely willing to pay a yearly fee to legally keep ferrets as the domestic pet they are. It's as if owners are saying, "Take our money, CA!" and the government is just turning the other way as if we don't exist. There is not a single valid reason for ferrets to remain illegal in this state.
Posted by: Kristy | February 05, 2009 at 10:35 AM
It's a no brainer! Immediate cash in the state's pocket for ferret licenses. I would pay for a license for each of my ferrets in a heartbeat. With animal shelters seeing an all time high of displaced pets due to the housing crisis this money is desperately needed. Unfortunately, I think our state government is blinded my their celebrity status to see how us little people actually live and what is important to us. But I will keep the faith that change will spread from Washington DC to California.
Posted by: Daniell | February 05, 2009 at 10:43 AM
I see no reason to ban ferrets! The increase in fees associated with the owning of these animals would indeed help the state of California.
Posted by: Maryalice Ammons | February 05, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Free the California Ferrets. They have suffered long enough. We have a new president why not new Californian laws.
Posted by: Nan | February 05, 2009 at 03:31 PM
I just moved to CA from WA. When I got here and realized that your ferret practicaly has to live underground like a criminal, I was shocked! Ferrets are nothing but little cuddle bunnies with the personality of a 2 year old. Dangerous? I think not.
Posted by: jami | February 05, 2009 at 06:27 PM
Not only are ferrets adorable and entertaining pets, they are therapeutic. I have shingles, but whenever I am holding my little guy I do NOT feel the pain of this debilitating disease. Come on California, join the rest of the world and make them legal.
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara Vas | February 05, 2009 at 08:16 PM
I am not a ferret owner, but I do have sugar gliders, another harmless but banned exotic in your state. I have passed up jobs there just so I can keep my babies. Not allowing animals like ferrets (and suggies!) in California is *bad* for the state and the arguments against it are just SILLY!
Change the laws and let all the ferrets already THERE be out of HIDING!
Posted by: Kipluck aka: BethAnn | February 05, 2009 at 10:39 PM
California has thousands plus Ferrets already residing in California. Pet stores and vets make a lot of revenue off of these precious creatures. Legalizing Ferrets would create revenue for a state that is terribly in debt. As far as being concerned that they would get out and overpopulate, that's absurd. Are we going to ban cats as well? Ferret owners are very good about caring for their Ferrets. They recieve vaccines and are kept inside as they would probably be killed if they got out. So let's cut the political bull and help California wake up and make much needed revenue off of the Ferrets that are already here.
Posted by: Catherine | February 06, 2009 at 08:26 AM
The fact that ferrets are still illegal in CA makes no sense at all. As many have already stated, there are millions of stray cats and dogs wandering around breeding. I don't think I've ever seen ferrets in an ally way digging through trash or fornicating. I have two ferrets of my own, and happen to reside in CA, and it saddens me that I can't take my ferrets on walks, and that if my neighbors found out about them, they could use them as leverage if they got mad at me for some reason. CA needs to grow up a bit. Though we've been trying to legalize ferrets for years, I think that unfortunately CA officials have bigger problems to deal with, and ferret owners get pushed to the side.
Posted by: Cruciamentum | February 10, 2009 at 02:48 PM
The unfair ban on ferrets in California has prevented me from living close to my brother. I have been rescueing ferrets for 13 years and they have become my life and soul. I want to be able to live the rest of my life in California so that I can finally get a chance to know my brother. I love everything about California especially the ocean and please release the ban on ferrets they will not indanger the enivornment.
Posted by: Patty | February 28, 2009 at 01:26 PM
My husband hasn't been able to find a job since he lost his the beginning of January. Now he is soon moving to California for a union job. Because we have two ferrets, I am staying behind. I am a licensed veterinary technician in Arizona and care for my babies better than I've seen some humans care for theirs. I was always upset about this law in CA and honestly haven't researched it much because I just can't stomach reading what they do and how they treat seized ferrets. Now this is impacting my husband and I's life so much. He thinks we can get away with it, I'm not taking the chance. My ferrets are 6 and 7 years old. I love them more than I love a rediculous law.
Posted by: Sad for fuzzies | March 06, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Why hasn't keeping ferrets as pets been put on the ballot in Calfornia? Surely there are enough ferret owners and wanna be ferret owners (me) to put the ballot over successfully. That California's ban is stupid is obvious, but the ego-driven CDFG and CDFA stands in the way of common sense; could someone give them a cookie and ask them to lighten up?
Posted by: Claire | May 26, 2009 at 03:33 PM
I've wanted a ferret for as long as can remeber. My mom used to have clients that had a few ferrets. now i'm just counting down until they either change the law or i move out of state so i can get myself a cute cuddly little ferret.
Posted by: angelfire | July 23, 2009 at 03:28 PM
I have wanted a ferret my entire life. I now have my own home and a good source of income so i can now fulfill my wish... Only one thing. I live in California. I know almost thirty people in the small section of my town that own them. I will NOT break the law. This is not, in my mind, a fair law. I do not find that breaking the law to get a point across is going to help any. I really want a ferret but it is going to be years before California comes to their senses. I know many veterinarians who will service the animals in California but many will not take the risk. What will it take to get this on the upcoming ballot? Ferret owners are willing to pay a licensing fee to be able to keep their animals just like any other dog or cat owner; why the ban?
Posted by: Patches McDoogal | August 21, 2009 at 12:34 PM