You know, I thought all day about whether or not to post this on the public
boards, including the FML:.  I decided to only so that people would be aware
WHY I am asking this favor.  IT IS NOT MEANT TO START A FLAME WAR.....If
after reading the messages below you are STILL inclined to assist this
person, PLEASE reconsider.  I personally, and as a representative of the
CDFA do not feel they deserve one....
 
CDFA1
 
Beginning with original AOL public board post...... This person stated that
they were looking for a ferret in California and to e-mail them with
details.
 
My private response to the  public post.....
Ferrets are NOT currently legal in California.  To bring one into the state
risks the animal's life.  Fish and Game as little at 4 weeks ago put down a
healthy confiscated ferret.  People do jail time for having them, People
receive extremely high fines and police records for having them.  Having
said that.... I ask you to join us in the fight to change this in CA.
Please reconsider...... However if you decide to go ahead and get one,
contact me and I can and will direct you to a ferret friendly ferret
knowledgable vet who will give your ferret it's shots, routine exams, and
emergency care WITHOUT turning you in.
 
I really don't mean to be a witch about this.  But we rescue anywhere from
2-10 ferrets weekly that have been taken from the loving arms of their
owner.  Those are the ones Fish and Game turns over to us.  We lose 5-10
annually to Fish and Game's euthenazia policy.
 
If you would like more information about the legalization efforts going on
in CA, please contact me.  Yes, we have a membership fee, HOWEVER it is not
a requirement to help with the legalization.
 
CDFA1
California Domestic Ferret Association
 
Their response.....
 
They stated that they knew about the current laws in California about the
having ferrets and that they knew that in spite of the laws many were still
owned in this state.
 
They re-emphasized that they just wanted on.
 
Then went on to tell me that they were not a political activist and had
absolutely no interest in joining in our useless battle.  They explained
they felt the fight was useless because we were nothing more that
'background noise' to the Fish and Game department.  They ended by stating
that they prefered to spend their time fighting fights they had a chance of
winning.
 
Part 2 of this post, went on to describe what kind of ferret they wanted,
feeling that an altered ferret was more tolerated in CA.
 
Now... granted maybe I shouldn't have but I lost it after reading his
response..... This is what I sent to the requestor.  I am editing since I do
not have this person's permission to use their private posts on the public
boards.  If you would like to see the originals.... I'll e-mail them to
you.....
 
From:   CDFA1
To:     JCanfi2008
In a message dated 96-05-28 02:21:59 EDT, you write:
<<   I quoted their entire message back to them  >>
 
I usually don't display this attitude..... or this type of response,
HOWEVER, your lack of caring and understanding is implorable.  It's
attitudes such as yours that continue to make ferrets illegal in this state
and continue to get them killed.
 
As far as obtaining a ferret..... FORGET IT!  Only those who fight for their
freedom have a right to their love in this state.....
 
CDFA1
 
I will not post the response I got to this, as it is laced with obscenities
and would cause the whole post to be pulled.  Suffice it to say...... I was
doing my job when I stepped onto my soapbox..... However, he might want to
consider a lesson in gender clarification, because this person can't tell
their hes from shes.
 
PLEASE, FOR THE SAKE OF FUZZIES EVERYWHERE, DO NOT GIVE THIS PERSON
INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET ONE.  IT MAY NOT STOP THEM, BUT WE DON'T NEED TO
HELP THEM.
 
CDFA1
 
[Moderator's note: I rejected CDFA1's first attempt at posting since it did
indeed contain the much of the exchange, but I agree - the guy wanting the
furrball did seem rather nasty about the whole thing!  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 1586]