I'm a big fan of Lance M, President of Ferrets Anonymous. I think we have a number of disagreements. A quality person allows for disagreements, even invites them.
So I have to wonder, where is the ferret legalization effort at Ferrets Anonymous?
The latest issue of the PawPrint mentions what's ahead for FA:
So what’s coming for Ferrets Anonymous in 2009? Besides exciting new chapters cropping up in California’s central counties and elsewhere, and our bylaw updates - we have Laryssa N., who is knowledgeable about MySQL databases, who will be working with our existing website designer, Daphne B. from Maryland, who is responsible for the look and feel of www.ferretsanonymous.org, when she’s not working on Olympic figure skating websites. The website will be a primary focus to continue building and keeping in top shape to serve the needs of all ferret aficionados throughout California, as well as those looking to relocate to the Golden State (even though the “Gold” has been tarnished because of the ferret ban). I’m very much looking forward to seeing much accomplished this year with the FA Board, even with our slow start, as well as with the website, and increasing interaction amongst FA chapters.
I appreciate the organizational efforts but what about a goal? What is the purpose?
There is a lot of work to running an organization. It is impossible to do everything that needs to get done. Throw in rescues and it gets worse.
But I would like to see more focus on the actual legalization of ferrets in California.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
The Working Group - Same Mistake Twice?
I'm excited that our EIR Consultant, Dr. Geo Graeining is preparing the first step towards an EIR to legalize ferrets in California. After so many years we are actually getting somewhere.
If you have been following this story you know that we had a false step back in January 2007. When money was offered to help legalize ferrets we decided to do the Environmental Impact Report. The best minds in ferret legalization got together and a strategy was mapped out.
Somewhere, they made a turn. It was decided unilaterally and without consultation that an EIR was not needed. Governor Schwarzenegger, they thought, merely needed a well-reasoned study to see the light.
There is a certain logic to this. The Department of Fish and Game and their allies at the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health Services have put out spurious research papers on ferrets for years. Fight fire with fire.
But this has been done before. And the head of the current working group might have had a hand in it. The result was a very enlightening paper CDFA 1990 Public Information Manual.
This paper was so well done that it made me a ferret-legalization advocate.
But it backfired.
The California Department of Fish and Game dug in their heels and became even more anti-ferret. They did not like to be shown up.
It came to mind because this paper was referenced on a DFG website. My fear is the next issue (and I have no idea when it will be out) will have a similar affect.
Ferret lovers are a cautious group. They don't want to make mistakes. Don't do this or it could set legalization back for decades! (not years - decades!) is something I often hear.
Use a professional and comply with whats been asked of us is my current reply. And based on the money that came in from CLIFFNotes readers - there is support for this position.
If you have been following this story you know that we had a false step back in January 2007. When money was offered to help legalize ferrets we decided to do the Environmental Impact Report. The best minds in ferret legalization got together and a strategy was mapped out.
Somewhere, they made a turn. It was decided unilaterally and without consultation that an EIR was not needed. Governor Schwarzenegger, they thought, merely needed a well-reasoned study to see the light.
There is a certain logic to this. The Department of Fish and Game and their allies at the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health Services have put out spurious research papers on ferrets for years. Fight fire with fire.
But this has been done before. And the head of the current working group might have had a hand in it. The result was a very enlightening paper CDFA 1990 Public Information Manual.
This paper was so well done that it made me a ferret-legalization advocate.
But it backfired.
The California Department of Fish and Game dug in their heels and became even more anti-ferret. They did not like to be shown up.
It came to mind because this paper was referenced on a DFG website. My fear is the next issue (and I have no idea when it will be out) will have a similar affect.
Ferret lovers are a cautious group. They don't want to make mistakes. Don't do this or it could set legalization back for decades! (not years - decades!) is something I often hear.
Use a professional and comply with whats been asked of us is my current reply. And based on the money that came in from CLIFFNotes readers - there is support for this position.
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