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]