Hi Everyone,
 
Well I have been looking to importing ferrets into Australia.  In a few
years I may have to move back to Australia from USA and have been looking
into bringing my buisiness with me but found out just recently that
Australia doesnt allow ferrets in as pets, only to Zoo's.
 
I have emailed a few people in AQIS, one said they where looking into
changing the law which gave me hope but just now received another, well
I will let you see for yourselves.
 
This could see Australia following in New Zealands foot prints!!
 
 --------------------------------------------
Dear Mr and Mrs Gower
 
Thank you for your e-mail.  We are conducting an import risk analysis
to determine whether quarantine conditions can be developed for ferrets.
While the analysis is well progressed there remains an issue regarding
their classification as a 'pest'.  We await advice from a specialist
committee (the Vertebrate Pest Committee) on the outcome of their
classification decision.
 
If the decision is that ferrets have the potenital to be an extreme pest
we will abandon the IRA or if they are not, we will finalise the IRA.
 
 ------------------------------------------------
 
Extreme pest to what!!  If I import my babies they have been spayed and
neutered have all their up to date shots and are in excellent health, my
goodness who would pay hundreds to thousands of dollars to bring in
deseased animals that they will willy nilly let go!!
 
Australia has their fair share of feral cats and wild dogs but do they
stop cats and dogs entering...No!
 
This is breaking my heart these guys are my children, my babies you all
know the feeling.  If I had known...
 
sorry for my out burst :(
Lauris in IL,USA
[Posted in FML issue 3844]