Where is Ferret Legalization at Ferrets Anonymous?

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.

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.

The Most Useful Piece of Info For Ferret Owners

My dog Bear left me a present. No, not that kind. He killed the squeaky toy and left the part that makes noise intact.

Now I don't have to shop for one of those toy pork-chops to squeak around trying to find the ferrets. And, I've been using the squeak and ferrevite to teach Quito and Fausto to come when I need them.

Quito is a climber. Often times I find myself nose-to-nose with this guy. This morning I used the squeak to summon the ferrets. And I hear the dreaded noise from behind the dryer. 'Gawd - how am I going to get him out?" but being a climber he made it up. (I do have to keep that laundry room door closed, but that's where the kitty litter is kept)

I hate to think how long I would have looked for him if he didn't really want to be found.

If you need your pet toy killed, send it to me and I will give it to Bear, so that you to can have the squeaky part left.

I Hate Craigslist

I just spent 1/2 hour posting on Craigslist. The objective is to get people to sign up for CLIFFNotes. I can get dozens of sign ups a day if the ads stay. Something like:

Attention Ferret Lovers –
Did you know that 27% of the nation’s ferret supplies are sold in California – where they aren’t legal?!
We’re working to legalize them! Hopefully, we are about to file an Environmental Impact Report with the state of California to start the official process.
Stay informed. We have a free, weekly email newsletter, CLIFFNotes that is emailed out every Sunday. Sign up at http://ferretsanon.com/CLIFFNotesSignUp.php
Do it for the little guy!

Having just finished posting to Yuba I check my account and see it all flagged.



A great way to help ferret legalization is to post on Craigslist. I think I've been banned, but you haven't. Please post links to http://ferretsanon.com/CLIFFNotesSignUp.php

Temptation - thy name is "Ferret"

I received a call Sunday early afternoon about a healthy two year old ferret in Carlsbad needing a home. I just lost Augie, I thought I'd move myself to the top of my adoption list.

I wasn't expecting the call so soon. It can take six months for a ferret to be available. But this was Carlsbad, 2 year old ferret.

Sounds awfully familiar to Daisy. Daisy was the best ferret who ever lived. She was 2 years old when I adopted her from a family in Carlsbad. I had just lost Chester, and said I'd take the next ferret needing a new home.

Daisy was a lone ferret. She taught me that yes - ferrets can scream. Preferably at 2:3o am. She was terrified of other ferrets. But she bloomed. She became motherly. She was one of those rare "lap ferrets" you might have heard about.

So - I thought, I might sneak up to Carlsbad today and pick up this ferret. I'd have to stop enroute at the vet for a distemper shot and ear mite check. The real problem would be when my partner, Jim came home.

If I had $25 for every "your are not getting another ferret" lecture I could pay off the mortgage.

Better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.

But then this morning I went to file my unemployment check I noticed the second week x'd out. Yes - I'm on the dole. Perhaps I should wait until I find a job or have some stable income before I bring in another pet.

Damn logic - I really want to drive and pick up that ferret. That's why I called it temptation.

(Actually - I want to go to Las Vegas, stay at a nice hotel, see some shows and bring home two babies. But that ain't gonna happen)

Update on the EIR

I did manage to have contact with Tom Gibson at the Department of Fish and Game, he is in their legal department. So far he seems like a very nice guy.

I had to explain, we want to do what is required of us to legalize ferrets in California - and, by the way, what exactly does the Fish and Game Commission require of us?

Mr. Gibson wasn't sure - he'll have to check and get back to me. He's only been with DFG for a year. But why didn't we ask this question ten year's ago? D'oh!

I have also asked help from Assemblyman John Pérez's office. When running for the state asssembly Mr. Pérez was kind enough to answer our survey - and unlike most respondents - he won. We need to know these people in the legislature.

Relations Sour With the Working Group

Unfortunately the "working group" isn't happy. They have asked I remove the survey that was emailed out (results will be in Sunday's CLIFFNotes) and have brought up the idea of another version of CLIFFNotes.

With all my heart I believe in transparency and communication. Nothing will happen without them. I have faith in the people who read CLIFFNotes. I will accept suggestions, criticisms, anything except insults. It is an open forum for all people interested in the California ferret issue.

Ferret owners are rightfully angry and impatient. We've been kept in the dark and waited too long.

Good Bye Augie

I found Augie in a coma yesterday about 5:30 pm. Luckily the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic was still open - I had him there by 6 pm. His blood sugar was 28. He was given a sugar solution but still looked like he had left us. He died during the night.
The picture above was taken the day I bought him in Las Vegas, clearly marked September 22, 2003, which makes him only 5 1/2 years old.

At the vet's office I was talking to someone else and mentioned the serenity prayer. How do you handle such things - change the things we can, accept the things we can't.

So Augie, I'm sorry you never got to places with me. But thank you for your kind soul.