I think the legalization attempt is attacking the problem from the wrong
end.  They should be fighting the state law that prohibits private citizens
from owning, transporting, etc.  wild animals.  This law is abused by the
Fish and Game, plus Animal Rights organizations to prevent people from
keeping pets.  They would outlaw domestic animals if they could.
 
With the large number of exotic species available to the pet market now in
other states; domestic skunks, pygmy hedgehogs, prairie dogs, short-tail
oposums, capuchin monkeys, african giant rats, sugar gliders, etc., etc.,
etc., we should be fighting for the right to keep ANY pet of our choice.
And with the ones that the USDA still requires permits for, like sugar
gliders, let the USDA handle permits or let the Fish and Game sell permits
at a RESONABLE price.  $375.00 for a detrimental animal permit is outragous
and highway robbery when you are talking about a gerbil.  Its little wonder
we see so few of the small animal species in CA zoos..The permit prices are
too prohibitive to even them.
 
The 'no private citizen shall own a wild animal as a pet' law it outdated
and even harmful, as in cases where a person is nursing a wild animal back
to health and the Fish and Game says they can't, takes the animal and kills
it.  The Fish and Game only knows how to sell deer tags..They are clueless
about keeping animals ALIVE.  There should be an extra definition added to
the laws..Wild: Meaning in the wild.  Captured from wild populations for
whatever purpose.  -and- Captive Bred Exotic: Meaning an animal bred for
more then X generations in captivity for pets, educational exhibits or to
save a species from extinction.
 
The USDA should be the one to define what needs permits and what is to be
concidered the same as a cat, dog or ferret.  In comparison to the CA F&G's
permit prices, USDA only charges $10.00 for a permit, unless you make more
then $500.00 a year breeding the species.
 
The CA F&G charges $375.00 for a detrimental animal permit, PLUS another
$375.00 for permit for that species.  They have other costs they tag on for
certain species like large cats..It runs about $6000.00 total for a permit
for a large cat.  The CA F&G is allowed to extort money from the
professionals who keep these animals.
 
The picture of the CA F&G is a whole lot larger then JUST FERRETS..And the
law they are 'protecting' by taking peoples pets isn't a F&G law..Its the
STATE LAW.  Fight to change the state law as well..If it falls, the F&G's
power falls with it.
[Posted in FML issue 1757]