Hi Bob!

I've learned one thing while living in California - once voters are
educated about ferrets, they'll vote for them to be legal. The problem
is - ferret owners can't go out on a limb to educate, because they risk
having their ferrets taken away. Yes, it does happen.

The Department of Fish and Game has one major flaw in its no ferret
policy - they say "it's not known" whether ferrets can be feral or not,
but they don't want to take the chance.

Okay, but - if FnG is so careful, why are petshops selling non-native
reptiles and birds? Wild flocks of parakeets can be seen in Silicon
valley as well as parrots and other birds in the trees.

Fish and Game simply doesn't want to go back on the 'no ferret' policy,
- well, that is, the few people in charge of the policy don't want to
change it. I am afraid that we are stuck, until either someone else who
doesn't care about politics takes over, OR the voters become educated
and vote for them.

However, people here don't know what ferrets are. If they know what
they are, they think because they are illegal, that there is good
reason. They don't believe you when you tell them they're not wild
animals. Some believe they kill babies and tip cows (a pet shop
assistant manager told someone in my club that they tip cows....and
she was serious).

It should be enough evidence for Fish and Game that there are no ferret
colonies in any US state, but they do not care; likewise in Australia
where they have been banned in some areas.

I do love what you are saying - and it will be great information and
proof, BUT, because Fish and Game can simply do what they wish, (as
they are doing now - with no proof) - I don't know if it will help. I
hope it does.

California is a strange place.

Laryssa

[Posted in FML 5856]