June 2, 2007
*** N E W S R E L E A S E ***
California Ferret Organization Calls for
Re-Evaluation of Ban
on Domestic Ferrets in CA
 SAN DIEGO - In an open letter to Secretary of Agriculture A.G. Kawamura, dated June 2nd, 2007, the non-profit organization, LegalizeFerrets.org, part of the San Diego chapter of Ferrets Anonymous, requested a formal re-evaluation of the statewide ban on domestic ferrets (Musteo putorius furo). Read the entire news release >
May 10, 2007
Getting Our Groove Back -Plans Emerge to Continue the Battle - Rally in Los Angeles - and perhaps Sacramento!
Recovering from the disappointing news from our Field Research Survey, the Ferret Round Up and the OC Pet Expo, all pretty much back to back, we've developed plans to keep the 3,000 Club going and continue the struggle to legalize ferrets in California.
THESE ARE THE PLANS:
- A Public Relations Campaign aimed at the Governor (and everyone else)
We are going to ask Governor Schwarzenegger to do the right thing for California ferret owners. We are looking at a kick off rally in Los Angeles on Saturday June 30th. We want to make it the biggest ferret rally ever. We had 50 people on our New Year's Day rally - let's try to get 100. We want huge signs, balloons, banners, lots of press, etc. There have been previous attempts to get the Governor to legalize ferrets but because our grassroots efforts are so much stronger - that our mailing list is approaching 4000 names and 2400 people get this email, we hope we have enough clout to make an impact with the Governor.
We are also thinking of doing a rally in Sacramento. Who up there wants to help organize it? Do you want to do in on the same day - or somewhat later? Is there a location in a park that also has heavy traffic? If you can help, please email me at CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
We have commissioned a white paper (sometimes called a position paper). We are going to outline the reasons why ferrets should be legal, put in black and white and give it to the Governor, the press and anyone else who is interested. Ironically, a former employee of the CDFA, whose previous job was to write press releases for that agency, is doing the job. We are spending between $400 and $600 on this paper.
We are getting a lot of sign ups! There is tremendous interest in ferret legalization by a lot of people. Although it is disappointing when a major news station calls ferrets "rodents," meaning there is a lot of ignorance, but there is also a lot of enthusiasm and energy being directed to this effort.
- Examine the Opposition and Make Them "Prove It"
Just as we are doing with the CDFA, we want to examine what studies were used to so badly mis-classify domestic ferrets as a threat to agriculture or the environment. Those studies don't hold water. We want to say "Hey Look, Wildlife Society, ferrets are house pets, they're not agricultural pests. If you want to look at pests, better take a closer look at all those feral cats and dogs. If you want an ag-friendly house pet, you should be encouraging people to have ferrets!"
We will be filing a permit with the California Department of Fish and Game to be able to have ferrets legally for educational purposes. Our attorney feels it will be declined (his actual words, "Are you crazy?) But even having it declined gives us the opportunity to go to the press and pubilc and ask "Why are ferrets legal in 49 states - but we can't even get an educational permit?" |
