well, thought you may be interested in part 2 of "THE SIERRA CLUB"
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 31 May 95 17:21:31
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Subject: Ferrets
In the last few days a number of email and postal messages have been
forwarded to me that communicated people's concern about various policies and
actions regarding ferrets. Some of the mail I have received was in response
to my presumption that ferrets had never truly been domesticated. I thank Dr.
Michael Camann for his letter which explained some of the history and status
of Mustela putorious furo, the domestic ferret.
I am sending this message (to the people for whom I have been able to get
email addresses off the messages) with a couple purposes in mind. One is
to let you know that your messages are being heard. Very importantly,
another reason is to acknowledge that there are ferrets that are considered
domestic animals and in acknowledging my ignorance, to prevent further discord
with ferret researchers, owners, and others who are interested in this animal
and to move our energies on to working on the policy and action questions.
For those who have asked, I would like to assist in getting people connected
to those in the Sierra Club who are dealing with ferret issues. I am piecing
together information about what prompted the messages about ferrets, and thus
would appreciate it if the Sierra Club California field office(s) could
forward to me, if such exists, a Sierra California policy opposed to
legalizing the ownership of ferrets as pets. Also, would Dr. Joyce Miller
please forward what appears to be an article about the June 1 release of
black footed ferrets. Thank you for offering your help Joyce.
As I stated in my reply to Paul Ziady, I do not know the background for why,
or even if, the Sierra Club has adopted a policy opposed to legalizing ferret
ownership in the state of California, and I have not received word back from
my contacts there. (Paul were you able to reach Ken at the number I passed on
to you?) I'm also looking forward to receiving input from the member of
Sierra's Endangered Species Committee who lives in the vicinity of the b-f
ferret range. For your information, generally Sierra Club Chapters do not
have to check in with national about policies that affect only their state.
However, clearly this matter has had an impact around the US. The question of
ferrets as pets has not come up for the Sierra Club at a national level for at
least the past 7 years as well as I can remember. As I wrote in my reply to
Paul, and reiterate here - "I will be interested to learn about what's
happening in California [and with ferrets in general] so please keep me copied
on further messages."
Rather than sending your messages to Melanie Griffin who is forwarding them to
me, you can contact me directly through Internet on the Sierra Club's ccmail.
My address is [log in to unmask] I must admit to some
trepidation about the volume (and tone) of messages! My reply to Paul which
tried to convey that I was not familiar with the situation, apparently was
broadcast to quite a large audience. Please check with me and and let us
share our knowledge prior to forwarding future messages if you believe a
message is factually inaccurate. Interpretations and recommendations regarding
the facts may differ among us all, but I regret transferring incorrect
information. Thanks.
Laurie Macdonald
Wildlife Zoologist
Chair, Sierra Club Endangered Species Act/Habitat Campaign
103 Wildwood Lane
St Petersburg, FL 33705
(813) 821-9585 (Phone and Fax)
P.S. Will any of you be at the Society for Conservation Biology meetings in
Colorado in June?
[Posted in FML issue 1213]
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