We’ve Cleared a Major Hurdle – Now We Need Expert Witnesses to Help Finish the Job

We did it. Our Petition for Regulation Change (2025-003) to legalize domestic ferrets in California was accepted by the California Fish and Game Commission for further consideration. That means our petition has passed its first major test—and is now being reviewed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). This is a critical stage, and we need your help more than ever.

Here’s what’s next:
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is now evaluating our petition and will make a recommendation to the Commission. That recommendation will heavily influence whether ferret legalization finally moves forward—or gets dismissed once again.

We need to show them that the science, the public, and common sense are on our side. Specifically, we are looking for credible expert witnesses to help address and counter the typical (and tired) arguments used to block ferret legalization.

We are looking for:

• Wildlife biologists
• Zoologists
• Veterinarians
• Animal behaviorists
• Public health professionals
• Anyone with relevant expertise

If you are willing to go on record—either through a written statement or future testimony—you can help correct the record and bring the truth to light.

Here are the arguments we need to refute:

• “Ferrets are wild animals.”
  → We need expert testimony affirming the domesticated status of the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo), which is distinct from its wild cousins.

• “They pose a threat to native wildlife.”
  → We need ecological experts to show that ferrets have not established feral populations in any other U.S. state where they are legal.

• “They are dangerous and likely to bite.”
  → Veterinary professionals can speak to ferret behavior, handling, and actual bite statistics (spoiler: it’s less than dogs and cats).

• “They could spread rabies or other diseases.”
  → Medical and public health professionals can clarify that ferrets have never been found to transmit rabies in the U.S., and a vaccine is available.

• “California is different—we need to be extra cautious.”
  → Experts in environmental science or agriculture can weigh in on why California is not uniquely threatened by domesticated ferrets.

Take Action Now:
Please contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and urge them to support our petition.