This is Sandy Streit, reporting from Portland, Oregon.  A short while ago, I
posted about the possibility of Multnomah county outlawing ferrets.  Here's
an update:
 
Last week there was a meeting of the county commissioners to discuss this
issue.  This meeting was open to the public, however, it was not open to
public comment.
 
The meeting consisted of the commissioners questioning the Animal Control
"big wigs" about the proposal.  On the positive side, I did not get a sense
that anyone is out to screw the ferret community.  The questions and
comments seemed reasonable.  For example, there was a discussion about
snakes--do we ban them outright, ban only poisonous ones, ban based on size
(and then do we need to hire someone to go out and measure snakes?) or just
issue permits so the police/fire dept will be aware when a house contains
poisonous reptiles?  The discussion was rational and calm.
 
This proposal seems even-handed to me because it contains a provision for
dangerous dogs.  In addition, the animals that are specifically listed in
this proposal as forbidden are: non-domestic cats (tiger), non-human
primates(except trained assist animals for the handicaped), elephants,
rhinos, crocodilians, bears, and probably poisonous snakes.  (Note, this may
not be a complete list, since this is a ferret forum, I won't bore you with
more details of the proposal)
 
One commissioner asked about ferrets.  The reply is that they, as well as
pot-bellied pigs, will be defined based upon the Oregon Fish & Game's
catagorizations.  I have not yet received verification of this, but I
believe the ferrets are defined as livestock/domestic, which means we are
home free.  However, you can't take these things for granted.  If the ferret
falls into the wildlife/exotic class, we are in deep doo.
 
There were about 2 dozen concerned citizens that attended this meeting.  The
Oregon Ferret Assoc had 6 people, three pot-bellied pig people were there,
several "exotic" cat folks attended, and the reptile folks were represented.
One of the commissioners commented on the large turnout, and the need for
public comment.
 
So, the next step in this process is the public hearing:
 
Wednesday, Oct 29, 6pm
Portland Building (the one with Portlandia)
  2nd floor conference room C
1120 SW 5th Ave
Portland
 
If you are in the Portland area, please attend this meeting.  If you wish to
speak, come at least an hour early to register.  Registration ends at 5:30.
You get 3 minutes, or you can give your 3 minutes to someone else, allowing
them more time to speak.  Wear ferret t-shirts or hats.  But leave your
ferrets at home--no animals (except politicians) allowed in the building.
And be polite--TV will be there, and we don't want to generate negative
publicity.  This whole thing started with the pet tiger, so the TV stations
see this as a good story.
 
Dr Mark Burgess will be speaking on our behalf, and I'll bet he'll speak for
the reptile folks too.  Dr Burgess is an "insider".  I've been told he's on
some Fish and Game committee.  Dr Burgess told me that testamony from
someone with letters after their name (a degree) carries more weight with
the bureaucrats than the same spiel from a regular person like me.
 
The next OFA meeting is Saturday evening, in Oregon City.  If you are a
local ferret owner and do NOT belong, this is the time to get involved.  In
addition to discussing this proposal, we will be having a ferret Helloween
costume contest.
 
Thanks
Sandy Streit
[Posted in FML issue 2095]