The August 25th Fish and Game Commission is a turning point for ferret legalization efforts in California. Here’s what happened.
Previously to the meeting Fish and Game staff recommended a “Deny” for our request for petition change. They cited the need for proponents to agree to fund an Environmental Impact Report.
They totally ignored that in 2010 we went through the process and submitted one. We can’t help it if the former commissioners wouldn’t acknowledge it.
At the meeting I told the Commissioners of all the work involved and game them copies of the report and the CEQA checklist the former Commissioners also required. We had our paperwork in order.
The Commissioners looked a little confused and then said this is the first they’ve seen of these reports.
Later one of the staffers came up to me and offered a sincere apology. When the email with the Report was forwarded, the attachment didn’t go with it. I believe her and appreciate her sincerity. It was an honest mistake; one I make occasionally. I should have sent them hard copies.
Dr Gandolfi also gave a presentation, adding some polish to our side. A representative of PIJAC spoke in favor, representing the pet industry.
But very telling – let me copy this from California WatchDog:
Kimberly Richard, a ferret enthusiast and the environmental chair for the Democrats of Napa Valley, talked about her childhood pet Mr. Weazermeister, who thought everyone was his best friend, especially a rabbit named “Thumper” (CalWatchdog could not confirm the spelling of Mr. Weazermeister’s name).
“I just heard about this — oh my god,” said Kimberly Richard, a ferret enthusiast and environmental chair for the Democrats of Napa Valley. “What state bans ferrets?”
Notice that a random person who just showed up on another issue had a ferret in Texas and she’s laughing at the ban. It also helps she is identified as a Democrat and an environmentalist, we are gaining support from where we didn’t have it before.
Our video of the meeting should be up shortly. Plans are being made for the next Fish and Game meeting. We’re on a roll!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
i owned 10 ferrets id rather own them then a dog, a cat why because a dog can kill a human . a cat can get a human lots more infections etc then a ferret ive been nipped by mine and never ever once had to seek medical treatment. California needs to worry about crime issues etc then owning a ferret they commit no crime except stealing your heart
Youbare so right! I love ferrets and eill never own any other kind of pet
Best of luck. I wouldn’t want to be without my ferrets.
I pray that the ban will FINALLY be lifted the ancient CA report isn’t mentioned and I hope it remains that way. These pets shouldn’t have to be left at the border due to such fraudulent beliefs.
This is awesome. One step closer.
Pls let me know when next meeting and were, so my family and myself can attend.
Are there any new updates? When my husband’s solar company got a job in California, even though the project was short term, only a year, we had to leave our ferrets behind. Rehoming them was such a difficult decision and so unfair. We’ve owned ferrets all our lives, but now that we travel for work, we can’t. It’s a shame. Our children were raised with ferrets. Never did we have an issue. I think it’s ridiculous that because of irresponsible parents, a child get’s injured, yet the ferret is solely to blame. A parent neglecting their child and their fur baby was the real issue, right?
I mean I have it now my owner 7 ferrets right now & my son. Ferrets isn’t treat or risk nothing…I want to agree big deal sign with name pat Wright is right!…let’s go vote. Thank you
Hi this I would like to know why this set California is close because of ferrets is legal not allowed huh? I don’t agree with your legal not allowed ferrets..we really need this ferrets love it, honest with you know what I have owner 4 ferrets right now plus I have one my son kind of his mind a baby like years old 1 and special need love a lot of ferrets so my son did playing with ferrets isn’t bite or treat like risk nothing, what is your problem point what going on. Ferrets didn’t bite my bird nothing and my dogs and ferrets did playing so much fun…See see no prove what are you talk about it? You make me twist up confuse mean California government is make up story like lie???…of course peoples said that ferrets is bad treat risk to children like bite and bird but look at my ferrets is very sweet and friendly and play a lot with my son is so perfect and what more? I’m starting get anger at they government is talk bbullhit all about it fake. Show me that be a real proof where is? Look at my ferrets didn’t bite or any nothing no proof what heck are you talk about it? So I don’t agree your police and my our team vote let’s go need to come back ferrets is open California hope!!!
I don’t agree with your policy* and my ferrets isn’t wildlife nothing…my owner ferrets is really sweet and friendly more fun playing so much & my son have mind like a baby 12 month or 1 years old and ferrets not bite to my son nothing and have my bird and dogs. Anyways let’s go vote please come back allow ferrtes California is open!!!!!!!!!
We need to legalize our ferrets. I am realy upset when heard about country where ferrets are banned :/