Ferrets are sometimes confiscated at the border of California on the south eastern (Arizona) side and up north at the border with Oregon. The ferrets are picked up and then are transferred. They need two coordinators for the program who call those rescuers/transporters when a ferret is confiscated. The regulation regarding ferrets can be found at "can I bring my pets into California" in http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/pe/ExteriorExclusion/borders_faq.html The border "inspectors" are supposed to confiscate said animals but they don't have the time, and euthanasia is very bad PR So for several years there has been a program (and I am not privy to the exact details) where if someone is found entering CA by the border station to have a ferret (or are silly enough to say they have one), that the border/agriculture inspection person calls the program coordinator(s) to have someone (apparently in CA) come and pick it up and take it. Then it gets picked up and goes to a safe place - maybe they promise to drive it out of state - I'm unclear about the outcome. I have permission to post a copy of the email - from the founder and moderator of the rescue effort (who is in northern CA) - to the FML just in case someone can help with this. She asks for a southern and northern CA coordinator. I doubt its a very frequent situation where animals are confiscated , but if you are interested in knowing more details and coordinating the ferret rescues - either for southern or northern CA PLEASE contact Hildy, her email follows. If you know someone who is in CA and who does not have ferrets but may be an animal lover and interested in helping them please copy Hildy's email that follows and send it to them : From the Ca ferret exchange list serv with permission from Hildy to post: "From "ferret ware" <[log in to unmask]> As founder and moderator of this group, and the former rescue director for the CA Domestic Ferret Association, I am pleading for the CA ferret community to step up and help ferrets. Hundreds, if not thousands, of ferrets have been rescued from the CA Agricultural Inspection Stations. Dozens of volunteers have driven thousands of miles to save the life of a ferret. The coordinators of this program, one in N CA and the other in S CA, can no longer participate in the program. It is URGENT that we find one or two people to coordinate the program. This requires management and organizational skills, managing a group of volunteers that pick up and transport ferrets from the 16 inspection stations. The lead coordinator is responsible for maintaining a relationship with the director of the CA Dept of Food and Agriculture, the department that manages the inspection stations. If you're interested, please understand you must be able to present a professional image and maintain a civil attitude when dealing with state officials. Ferrets are illegal in CA and arguing with someone who wants to work with us is counter-productive. This program is only for the inspection stations, not in-state rescue of ferrets from city or county shelters. That program is managed under the oversight of the CA Dept of Fish & Game. If you're interested please respond and I will forward your reply to the appropriate person. Please include your reasons for volunteering, and your qualifications. Please understand, you may be pressed into service, picking up a ferret and driving hundreds of miles to deliver it to an out of state shelter. A reliable vehicle with air conditioning is mandatory. No fund exists to pay your expenses, it is all about rescuing ferrets. Serious inquiries only please! Thank you." I do hope she finds some people. Please contact her at her email address if you think you can help with the coordination or need to find out about the frequency of the rescue calls. The various Ag stations (16) are shown at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PE/ExteriorExclusion/borders_map.html Meryl [Posted in FML 7843]