While we're on the subject of the Audubon society, here is our recent
letter to them after being door-to-door accosted by a local member.  It
was cc'ed to the state chapters in CA and NE...
 
John Flicker, President
National Audubon Society
700 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
 
Dear Mr. Flicker:
 
After recently being visited by a local Audubon Society representative and
being sent a complimentary issue of Audubon, I feel compelled to write you
personally and explain exactly why I will not be adding myself to the roster
of Audubon members.
 
I cannot support your organization because you currently oppose the
legalization of the domesticated ferret in California.  According to Mr.
Daniel Taylor, California's state director for Audubon, this opposition
stems from the fear that ferrets may escape and establish themselves in the
wild in California, thereby posing a threat to local bird species.
 
This opposition is, frankly, misguided and based on politically-motivated
falsehood and propaganda perpetuated by the California Department of Fish
and Game.  The ferret, being a domesticated animal, does not belong on any
list of prohibited wildlife =97 its initial inclusion was a simple mistake
that now, because of ridiculous political wrangling, is proving very
difficult to rectify because CDFG seems to have a self-interested stake in
the continued harassment and even jailing of California ferret owners.
 
In addition, the ferret is in fact one of the safest household pets for
the environment.  Unlike the domesticated cat, which has established feral
populations and which is a clearly-proven danger to bird species, the ferret
has not established a feral population anywhere in the US and there is no
evidence of ferret predation of any bird species.  Furthermore, it is
difficult to imagine how the ferret could establish a feral population or
threaten birds when the vast majority of pet ferrets are neutered/spayed
and spend their entire lives indoors!
 
Your organization's opposition to ferret legalization in California means
that I, as the owner of ferrets who have spent their entire lives in my
living room, cannot consider any career offers in California, nor can I
even visit the state with my pets, without fear of outrageous fines
totaling thousands of dollars, jail time, and even the confiscation and
senseless murder of my pets!  Cat and dog owners are not treated this way,
even when their pets have far more of an effect on the environment than do
ferrets.
 
Until this situation is remedied, I will be unable to support your
organization in any way, either financially or personally.
[Posted in FML issue 2407]