Need to be Punished, Need to be Punished

Yesterday was a surreal day in front of the Fish and Game Commission. I thought we did an excellent job documenting our case in asking the Commission follow their own guidelines in delisting ferrets from the prohibited species list. I did feel intimidated, I had the feeling the Commission looks down on the issue. But I did ok.

At the end, President Jim Kellogg started to talk. At first I held out hope that my facts and figures impressed him. Instead he took a bizarre turn.

He mentioned shopping at pet stores and seeing the photos of ferret supplies just like in my powerpoint presentation. Then he said "it really annoys me that they can sell that stuff in a state where ferrets are illegal."

And next was the truly bizarre part, he said "ferret owners need to be punished."

Today, one day later I'm cleaning house. It is the time of week I get to spend the most time with the ferrets. They are downstairs in forbidden territory pulling the soles out of Jim's expensive shoes. A better time could not be had.

They are healthy and happy. I worry about my eldest, Fausto. Ferrets don't live that long and Fausto is getting up there.

And darn it, I have this rap song in my head... "need to be punished, need to be punished..."

We will put Mr. Kellogg's statements up in YouTube. Perhaps we can make a rap version. Maybe we'll even go viral.

With Friends Like This in Nevada

Just arrived in my inbox regarding our Craigslist ads for Reno/Tahoe


You are being flaged because you are being an asshole. First, we Nevadans are sick and tired of you Californians and your ferret drama.

We are sick of groups like yours encouraging people to illegally obtain ferrets from other states and we are sick of our shelters being full because you people break the law. The rescue groups here have plenty to do on their own without being asked to rescue the animals you people keep illegally.

Is the Reno CL for SOME Californians as well? Yes it is, but it is also full of people like me who are sick of your group's name being quoted when we are contacted by some Californian wanting to adopt and put at risk one of our pets.

And guess what? I happen to be a ferret owner, a ferret foster for a rescue group and I happen to know they are not capable of survving in the wild. I am flagging you for being an asshat and encouraging others to break the law.


Johnnie Lohmann
lohmann.johnnie@gmail.com

Fish and Game has been Helpful

OMG, I have to give credit where credit is due and say the Fish and Game Commission has been helpful as we try to move the initial study into a request for the EIR.

Jon Fischer, the acting director of the Fish and Game Commission has been slipping me a little insight. At first I thought he flatly rejected the study but as I learn more I see his initial comments had merit.

The whole process is ridiculous, no other animal has ever required this process.

But Mr. Fischer has told me what to avoid, that the Sierra Club looks for error in procedure, not facts, and that could sink us.

And it has been extremely hard to find someone to guide us throught the buracracy.

I did get a little help from a friend of mine who is an urban planner. I'm not a CEQA expert but I know a lot more than I did.

And it appears I over reacted to the intial disaproval of the report from Fish and Game. I wasn't elected to this post you know... what I lack in knowledge I try to make up for in determination, not always the best formula. But we are going to wrap this up and get these little guys legalized.

Vimeo is much better than YouTube

Youtube has always been great - so many videos to waste time with. Hopefully people will find our one, little video.

But I wanted to put up our other videos. There is a video of Dr Graening at a LegalizeFerrets Revival in 2008 before he started the research project.

And one of Dr Gandofli at the 2010 Legalize Ferrets Revival explaining Adrenal disease and ways to prevent it.

All our videos can be found at http://vimeo.com/user5155833

The Official Request Has Been Made

To Acting Fish and Game Commissioner Jon Fischer

Hello Mr. Fischer –

I called the Fish and Game Commission this morning asking if there was a procedure to request an item be placed on the agenda.

Please consider this the official request.

Based on the April 6th, 2000 meeting, where according to the report submitted by Dr Graening:

The California Fish and Game Commission, As explained at the meeting, a regulatory action by the Commission is considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires the preparation of an environmental document. Therefore, at the conclusion of the public testimony, the Commission directed the Californians for Ferret Legalization, as project proponents, to fund the preparation of the environmental document to assess the potential impact to the environment of this proposed action. The Commission would not be in a position to again consider this matter until such environmental document were prepared.

Since the Document has been prepared and submitted, we are asking the Commission again consider the issue of ferret legalization.

Pat Wright
cell: 619-757-7426
fax: 619-303-0645
pat@pan.sdcoxmail.com

Pat Wright, owner and organizer of LegalizeFerrets.org

Pat Wright, owner and organizer of LegalizeFerrets.org

October 27th, 2010

News from LegalizeFerrets.org
For Immediate Release

Governor Calls for Environmental Impact Report Prior to Legalizing Ferrets
Fish and Game Commission Ignores Our Request to Get Started After Preliminary Report Submitted

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has answered the first batch of letters from a letter writing and petition campaign organized by LegalizeFerrets.org with his standard answer:

“So far, no one has completed a study that proves that these little animals would be good, safe pets, and the California Environmental Quality Act requires that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be conducted first. An EIR evaluates the proposed project's impact on the environment. Until an EIR is conducted on the effects that ferrets have on the environment, it would be inappropriate to legalize ferrets as pets here in California.”

LegalizeFerrets.org has on two occasions Express Mailed a copy of our pre-Environmental Impact Report to Governor Schwarzenegger, posted on line at http://ferretsanon.com/EIR/Final_Report.pdf. His staff has been unable to confirm delivery even though we have a proof of delivery.

Even more frustrating is the position of the California Fish and Game Commission where acting Director Jon Fischer promptly labeled the report “missing the mark” and that it lacked scoping. Scoping is not included in the initial report.

We commissioned the “Initial Study” and are now asking the California Fish and Game Commission to file the “Notice of Preparation.” After more than two weeks we have not received an answer and we are consulting with an attorney.

Furthermore – from the Fish and Game Commission Meeting:

April 6, 2000. The California Fish and Game Commission, As explained at the meeting, a regulatory action by the Commission is considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires the preparation of an environmental document. Therefore, at the conclusion of the public testimony, the Commission directed the Californians for Ferret Legalization, as project proponents, to fund the preparation of the environmental document to assess the potential impact to the environment of this proposed action. The Commission would not be in a position to again consider this matter until such environmental document were prepared.

We try to comply with their demands and as we near them they ignore us. Ferrets are legal in 48 states; no other state has required any environmental studies. We are working to comply but they have so far closed the doors on conducting an EIR.

For more information please contact Pat Wright at 619-303-0645 or cell 619-757-7426

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