Hello Californians, Recently a falling out among family members resulted in a visit from Fish and Game for an east bay resident. Though no ferrets were found in her home, pictures of ferrets, samples from a vacuum, and many personal items including social security forms were confiscated. No charges have been filed to date. Now, an east bay veterinarian's office has been visited by wardens from Fish and Game, presumably in connection with this case. This represents a new high in "ferret aggression" by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). I tell you this with the sincere hope that you don't dive under the blankets and hide. If you do, they win, you lose. The survey is available for downloading and printing at <ftp.plaid-jello.com/incoming/survey.html> or <http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hcpb/survey.html> I want each of you to print out and mail, along with a short, one page letter of your own, to both your State Senator and State Assemblymember. Let him or her know that this survey was done in 1996 with most responses delivered to the department during that year and a few in 1997 yet it was withheld from the legislature, the public and the media by the department until late 1999 when it was obtained by ferret legalization supporters through the Freedom of Information Act. Why was it withheld? DFG simply didn't like the answers given by all 50 state wildlife departments: NO FERAL FERRETS DOCUMENTED NOW OR IN THE PAST! Most states don't consider the question of feral ferrets even warrants their time. Yet our DFG knows better. In the words of wildlife biologist, Ron Jurek, these other states "don't know if any are there. Some states are unaware of a lot of things." No doubt, Mr. Jurek, there are little green men from Mars running about but we just haven't seen them yet. Please read the survey carefully and in your own mind substitute dog or cat, or horse or goat or pig or rabbit or burro for ferret and imagine the answers. Even the few stray ferrets found did not live more than a few days outdoors (incredibly 15 states reported no strays, can you imagine that!) I want you all to write a strong letter to your representatives today. Let him or her know that people in California are criminalized for choosing the safest pet to the environment, and the Department of Fish and Game knows it! DFG is confiscating vacuum contents, harassing veterinarians all over a domesticated pet that has more to fear from the environment than the other way around. This has to stop now! If you don't know who represents you please visit our website at http://www.ferretnews.org. Click on Know Your Local Representative and enter your zip code. You should also send a copy of this survey and a one page letter to the Governor, Gray Davis. His address is: Governor Davis State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 Please write your letters today! Or, visit your representatives in person! Jeanne Carley Californians for Ferret Legalization 410 Mountain Home Road Woodside, CA 94062 www.ferretnews.org Jeanne Carley Founder Californians for Ferret Legalization http://www.ferretnews.org Photographer and owner of The Ferret Company http://www.ferretcompany.com [Posted in FML issue 2828]