Some of you may have seen the article in this morning's New Zealand Herald
about the family who were caught taking their ferrets to Great Barrier
Island.
 
Taking ferrets to offshore islands in New Zealand is not just illegal -
it is highly irresponsible.  Many of these islands are predator free,
and are the last refuge for a number of endangered bird species.  The
activities of this one family have tarnished the image of the entire
ferret community, and undermined several years of efforts by a number of
ferret enthusiasts to promote responsible ferret ownership, and convince
the authorities that ferrets can be kept in an environmentally safe way.
 
Ferret owners in New Zealand are on notice - there are powerful forces
trying to have our ferrets banned.  Please don't give them the ammunition
they need to shut us down.
 
John Chessum
co-founder
New Zealand Ferret Protection and Welfare Society Incorporated (Ferret
PAWS (NZ) Inc)
[Posted in FML issue 3670]