Hello FMLer's
 
For JR's (anonymous poster from CA) information, both of these organizations
have been opposed to ferret legalization in the past with the exception of
HR 37 when neither the Sierra Club, nor Waterfowl, nor even the Farm Bureau
raised their ugly heads.  HR 37 was a non-binding resolution calling on the
Fish and Game Commission to reclassify ferrets correctly as domesticated
thereby removing them from the list of prohibited wildlife.  Only DFG and
Health Services felt this resolution merited their opposition.
 
Also, it's exremely naive to think that these large organizations know or
care about the difference between CDFA, CFL, FA, FML or whatever.  These
organizations don't give squat about the fact that CFL is the sponsor of AB
363, just as it didn't matter to them when CDFA led the charge.  What
matters to them is a piece of political turf.  That, and placating an agency
that decides their season length and bag limit, or how much land they have
to set aside for an endangered species, or, in the case of the Sierra Club,
which species is endangered and which is not.
 
The Sierra Club has been pretty schitzophrenic about this issue.  They'd
told us in the past they wouldn't oppose, then did.  Bill Phillips was in
contact with them a couple of years ago and back then it was my
understanding through him that with spay/neuter there wouldn't be a problem
with the bill.  Like the CA Waterfowl and Farm Buruea, they didn't oppose HR
37, and spay/neuter is part of AB 363, so their opposition makes no sense.
DFG brought in the Sierra Club at the last minute just as it brought in CA
Waterfowl and the Farm Bureau years ago.  It even brought in a new player
this time, the Audobon Society.  As for CA Waterfowl, they've been opposed
consistently from day 1 so JR should look for another source for correct CA
information.
 
JR should also know, that the people working directly with the author's
office, to interface with the Assemblymembers, State Senators, as well as
the organizations opposed to ferret legalization, have not changed since
CDFA and CFL split.  Those people are: Jan Goldsmith (our author) Dick
Schumacher (Executive Director of the CVMA) Bob Naylor (previously CDFA
lobbyist now CFL lobbyist) Kevin Pedrotti (PIJAC lobbyist), Mike Dillon
(CVMA Lobbyist) my father, Floyd Carley and myself.  JR's contention that
the issue suffered because there was a change in the people dealing with
these organizations, or that there was a lack of experience, when the major
players are veteran political lobbyists or professionals, is pretty silly.
 
JR's post assumes that logic and common sense would have prevented
opposition from these groups and that assumption is simply wrong.  You can
talk feral cats versus ferrets to these people until you're blue in the face
but the only thing that may make a difference is if those of you who
supported the Sierra Club or Audobon Society or are members of CA Waterfowl,
will write and let them know why you are dropping your membership or your
support.  What CFL will be asking from all ferret groups and clubs
everywhere are letters to the heads of these organizations complaining about
their oppoistion to ferret legaliztaion in California.  As your letters
effected a change at HSUS, we may also be able to make a change here.  You
can help.  CFL will be providing this information in a mailing to the clubs
and shelters and will also post here and elsewhere on the internet.
 
"It is my understanding........." You might consider the source, or lack of
one, when someone posts what are supposed to be facts regarding the of the
ferret issue in California.  Rumors and suppositions really don't help this
issue here.
 
Jeanne Carley
Californians for Ferret Legalization
410 Mountain Home Road  Woodside, CA  94062
(415) 851-3750   <[log in to unmask]>
http://www.ccnet.com/~beisners/gsfs/lobby.html
CALIFORNIANS, YOU CAN FIND OUT YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER AND STATE SENATOR BY
VISITING THIS SITE!!  IT'S TIME TO CALL AND WRITE THEM TO CO-AUTHOR THE
FERRET BILL, SO ACT NOW!
[Posted in FML issue 1912]