Ah, I just got the time to return to the FML after getting the notice
about this article, so just saw Sandi's note after I wrote this.
Consider this a supplement to the info she gave, or a repeat for those
who missed it in the Friday FML.  (Inserted note after below post on CA
and on bedding written.)  If you missed the extensive info in Sandi's
post then write to <[log in to unmask]> and use the command SEND
FERRET 4554 and read her post to learn how to fight this.
 
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-animals25jun25,1,3609137.story?
coll=la-home-headlines
 
>Pet Lovers Irate About Governor's Idea for Strays
 
>He wants to save money by making it easier for
>municipal shelters to put animals to death.
 >By Robert Salladay
 >Times Staff Writer
 >June 25, 2004
 
> ...Schwarzenegger wants to repeal California's comprehensive law
>forcing animal shelters to hold stray cats and dogs up to six days
>before killing them, a budget-cutting move that has enraged pet
>adoption groups...
>
>As a favor to the state's cash-poor counties and cities, Schwarzenegger
>has asked the state Legislature to reverse the 1998 law, which makes
>adoption of wayward pets the first priority of shelters instead of
>quickly putting them to...
>
>The governor proposes a change in the law to allow birds, hamsters,
>potbellied pigs, rabbits, snakes, turtles and other animals that are
>not cats and dogs to be put to death immediately if the shelter favors
>that approach, animal rights groups said... Schwarzenegger also would
>eliminate a requirement that people convicted of animal cruelty be
>prohibited from owning a pet for three years and be forced to pay for
>medical care for the animals they have mistreated...
>
>Shelters no longer would be required to search for owners who have
>embedded microchips in their pets that store addresses and phone
>numbers...
 
It goes on with even more stuff that will shock you, but basically
California companion animals would have pretty much NO protection.
 
Bedding: Steve never, ever, ever use cedar for ferrets and it is also
best to not use pine shavings.  They like cloth for bedding.
 
Since it sounds like you are new you'll be interested in learning that
_Ferrets for Dummies_ by Kim Schilling is also used by many of us
"old-timers" who have had decades with ferrets.
 
Did the store at least give you accurate info on your getting the ferret
the rest of the distemper vaccination series and the rabies shot?
 
Have you read
http://www.ferretcentral.org, yet?
How about Dick Bossart's manual at
http://www.thechipster.com/fert-man.html  ?
[Posted in FML issue 4555]