Several very well prepared and somewhat apprehensive members of the Mass
Friends of the Domestic Ferret Group attended the hearings before the Fish
and Wildlife Commission yesterday afternoon and spoke in favor of the
proposed regulations which will put the law passed last December into force.
 
The vote was unanimous to accept the regulations as summarized below.  The
Public Health and Food and Agriculture departments in the state had earlier
asked that a strong warning listing certain alleged hazards be required to
be included with each animal, but this was denied on the grounds that no
such material is required for the sale of any other pet.
 
HOORAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
So......   We are all that much closer, and still find ourselves with much
work to do in order to help March 7th and the following weeks go as smoothly
as possible.  If you would have just a bit of time to spare, say in visiting
your local pet store(s) or veterinarian to talk about ferrets, and providing
them with some materials.  Give us a call on the Hot line in Mass (617)
224-1098.  We love to hear especially from those of you in the western part
of the state.
 
 
Briefly summarized, the regulations do the following:
 
  1. Permit possession as a household pet, for education, for research,
     for breeding (by a licensed breeder), or for sale.
 
  2. They must have received inoculations against canine distemper and
     rabies at time of purchase by an educational institution, or as a
     household pet.
 
  3. They must be neutered and spayed unless for breeding or research.
 
  4. To be sold for use as a household pet they must be accompanied by a
     certificate at the time of sale from a veterinarian certifying
     Neutering, spaying, and inoculations.
 
  5. The two most recent certificates of inoculation must be kept by any
  person possessing a ferret.
 
  6. Unlawful to possess a ferret which has not obtained the minimum
     age for inoculations.
 
  7. Unlawful to liberate or allow any ferret to escape into the wild.
 
  8. Unlawful to hunt with a ferret.
 
  9. Unlawful too have a ferret in one's possession in any field, forest,
  or woodland where wild birds or mammals may be found.
 
 10. To fail to keep proper records of neutering, spaying and inoculations,
     or to refuse to provide them to any Environmental Police Officer.
 
 11. Penalties are the possible seizure of the animal and disposal to the
     "best interest of the Commonwealth."
 
 12. A ferret biting a person or another animal may be quarantined for such
     period as deemed appropriate or when deemed necessary in the
     professional judgement of the Director, may be seized and destroyed
     without liability for rabies testing.
 
 13. Ferrets imported into Massachusetts as a personal pet, or for shows,
     exhibitions etc.  for a period not exceeding two weeks are exempted
     from the requirement for neutering and spaying.
 
                        - Bill Williamson
[Posted in FML issue 1492]