I brought ferrets into CA last summer. I had a folding cage in the back
of a station wagon. I also brought an huge, empty suitcase. When I got
to the state line, I put the ferrets inside the suitcase with bedding,
food, water, toys. I had a screen for air that could not be seen from
the side of the car that the inspector would be looking from.

I folded the cage and hid it under the suitcase. I had no other bags or
packages for the inspector to wonder if there was fruit in. The only
problem is that I had ripped my arm from wrist to should when I fell
against a fence and had no other shirt to wear so I had to scrunch
down in the car so the inspector would not see all the blood.

I had also had a blow out 10 miles back and was running on the inter
lining of the tire (no gas stations or repair places until I could get
into Needles another 20 miles). I made sure I was in a position so the
inspector would not see the tire. I also had to keep talking so any
sounds the ferrets might make were not heard. And wouldn't you know
it!!!!! The inspector leaned into my window and started flirting with
me. OMG! I didn't want to make him mad, but I felt a strong urge to
get out of there.

I drove 11 hours to pick up the ferrets, no sleep that evening, and
another 11 hours home (plus an extra hour getting new tires in
Needles). It was over 110 degrees all the way and much hotter on the
road. I had good tires but the high heat can ruin them...and did.

So beware of flirty inspectors when you cross into CA. You can use
alternative ways and by pass the inspection sites. They take longer
and you have to know where they are.

According to ferret food sales, there is more ferret food sold in CA
than any other state.

[Posted in FML 7489]