It has been requested that I post the requirements necessary to
obtain a shelter permit in the State of California here on the FML.
I hesitated to do this, because it will probably seem like a daunting
task to most and I don't want to scare people away. Do bear in mind
that CA DFG personnel are notorious for creating their own
interpretation of state laws, and even their own policies...so it
is always best not argue with them and just "go with the flow". My
advice, do not get into a pi$$ing contest with the DFG representative,
you won't win...and neither will the ferrets.

Anyone active in ferret advocacy in California is familiar with "Manual
671". This is part of the California Code of Regulations, Title 14,
which deals with restricted species laws and regulations. Most of what
I am going to post comes directly from that manual, minus the legal
mumbo jumbo. When CDFEA voted to create a Sheltering and Transportation
Committee, I wrote a standard operating procedures manual which
addressed most of the conditions set forth in DFG Manual 671. Should
anyone be bold enough to take on this challenge, I will gladly share
this manual; there is no need for you to re-invent the wheel...unless
you want to.

Without further ado:
1. The applicant must be at least 18 years old and must be a resident
of California. (The manual wording allows that an "individual" can
obtain a permit, but to date DFG has never allowed an individual to
hold a shelter permit, only organizations).

2. Submit a purpose/use statement which describes why the use of
restricted species is necessary, and any brochures and flyers that
promote the use of the ferrets. (This is all contained in the SOP
manual I wrote).

3. Submit a written statement from the DFG Regional Manager verifying
the need for a shelter in the area to possess and transport ferrets for
humane purposes. The regional manager supplying this statement will
depend on which DFG region the ferrets will be sheltered in. Wouldn't
it be great if each region had a shelter? Yeah, I dream big.

4. Explain in writing what your intent is (Why do ferrets need a
shelter in California...duh?) and why this activity with this species
is needed (Yes, I have all this written up as well).

5. Provide sources and locations for acquisition of the ferrets (Got
it covered)

6. Provide a plan of disposition for the ferrets

7. Provide details of California networking...this is one of those made
up demands by a DFG representative. I do have something written up to
cover this also.

8. Provide an emergency plan (Covered)

9. Two years minimum experience. Last but not least, this is probably
the most tedious requirement because you will have to submit your
resume, and letters of reference to prove your experience. They do not
want to hear that you have been raising ferrets for the past hundred
years; they want to know what your "specific" and "professional"
training is. "You must have at least two years of full-time "hands-on"
experience caring for ferrets at a facility engaged in an activity
that is "similar or directly related" to that for which the permit
is sought; the applicant must establish that he or she was directly
involved in and responsible for the ferrets while the facility was
engaged in the activity for which the permit is sought", and, "You must
have at least one year full-time "hands-on" professional experience
working with ferrets. The applicant must establish that he or she was
directly involved in and responsible for the animals [at a shelter]".

Again, this part is tedious but not as difficult as it sounds.
Basically, you will need letters of reference that outline your duties
and responsibilities at a ferret shelter, and that state how many total
hours you worked at that shelter. Ummm, yes will have to say you worked
at a shelter or shelters outside the State of California. *Grin* (yes,
I have a sample letter).

So there you have it...well, most of it. The most important parts
anyway. There are always little hoops of fire you will have to jump
through when working with DFG, like their new requirement that they
do the shelter inspections instead of allowing your veterinarian to
do them. And do expect that your representative will kick back your
application with more silly requests that you will have to respond to,
usually pointing out (politely) that the answer to their request is in
the SOP manual and direct them to it. They seem to have trouble with
documents more than a page or two long. *Insert heavy sarcasm here*

If there are any other questions, feel free to contact me or post them
here.

Bonnie Tormohlen
Managing Director
Northern Arizona Ferret Alliance & Rescue, Inc

[Posted in FML 7443]