I live in California.  I have become interested in ferrets recently as a
result of rec.pets traffic over the past several months that suggests
that they make excellent, even ideal, apartment-lifestyle pets; I had
already been intrigued by the critters in `Beastmaster' (indeed, they
probably had the best performances in that film, although they did tend
to chew the scenery, as the saying goes :-) ).  I have learned that
domestic ferrets are illegal in California--to my frustration--and have
seen some of the California Domestic Ferret Association materials on
that subject.  But these materials are `advocacy literature' and not to
be taken as an objective treatment of the subject.

It is difficult, therefore, to understand just *why* there seems to be
such strong opposition to ferrets as pets in California.  I gather that
the anti-ferret position claims that they are dangerous to children and
may carry rabies.  If these claims are as insubstantial as the CDFA
stuff indicates, it is hard to understand how the anti-ferret folks can
be so fervent in their opposition.  The `hidden agenda' that some have
suggested, that the anti-pet-ferret folks want to use domestic ferrets
as lab animals without raising the ire of anti-vivisectionists, makes
little sense to me--after all, rabbits, rats, and the ever-popular
guinea pig all are used as lab animals and are also commonly sold as
pets.

I very much hope that the California ban is lifted sometime soon; I
would *very* much like to have one of these little nippers around the
place, but -- given the problems that could arise regarding veterinary
care or if the animal were lost -- would not be willing to smuggle one
in from out of state, as some people do (I met a live ferret for the
first time last spring at the local Renaissance Faire; it was peeking
out from its owner's loose sleeve and being utterly charming and
friendly.  The owner carefully referred to it as `a not-a-ferret').  So,
can someone help me understand exactly why someone thinks I should not
have one?

        Mike
        [log in to unmask]

I am not even going to ask why gerbils are illegal in California...

[Posted in FML 0196]