Hello FML'ers:
 
I felt I had to second what Jeanne from Californians for Ferret Legalization
posted the other day.  When Jeanne, Melissa and I were at the WWPSA in mid
July, we had an individual approach the booth and ask us the current status
of AB 363, we explained how the bill had been changed to grandfather in (or
grant amesty) to those ferrets currently living in California, who register
their ferrets between January 1, 1998 through July 1, 1998, providing the
bill passes the Senate Appropriations Committee and the full Senate and
Govenor Wilson signs the bill.  This person responded by saying that she
wasn't going to register her ferrets.
 
Well folks, I plan to be one of the first individuals in my area to register
my critters and providing the weather is nice, I plan to take them to the
park.  Something I have never ever been able to enjoy in the past.  I can go
to the vets and not have to cover my carriers with towels and hide my pets
from other pet owners who might turn me in (this has happened to ferret
owners before).  I feel that if we are able to come out and teach others
about our pets, others will see how ridiculous the California Department of
Fish and Game have portrayed our pets for numerous years.  Now I asked those
who are skeptical, once we come forward and our pets are counted, and we are
protected under AB 363, how is the Department of Fish and Game going to put
500,000+ Genie Ferrets back into their bottles?  It will be very difficult.
We know that the study that will be done over a two year period will only
substantiate that ferrets cannot and will not go feral in California.  After
which we will again try to legalize ALL ferrets in California.  For those
who are disappointed that AB 363 was amended to limit legalization to those
ferrets currently living here, we too (Californias for Ferrets Legalization,
Ferrets Anonymous and California Domestic Ferret Association) are extremely
disappointed.  But our choices at the last Senate Committee (Natural
Resources and Wildlife) was to allow the bill to die or compromise and amend
the bill.  Since some of those working with the legalization effort already
own ferrets, we chose to compromise and allow the bill to limit legalization
to those animals living here.  If the bill passes, I encourage all
Californian ferret owners to join me and others in registering their
animals.  Come join me and my pals in the fresh air.....well as fresh as
Southern California air can get.
 
Debbie Andelin
Tasmanian Devil (I want to go outside!)
She Devil (I want to go outside!)
Angel (Are we going outside?)
[Posted in FML issue 2021]