FML Readership, I am sorry to say-- the CA ferrets have one more opponent to face-- this one as ignorant it seems as those that sit in agreement. Not because they differ in views, but because their biased thinking has prohibited them from reading and learning truths. I thought in all fairness to those of you on the list-- I needed to share. In my daily routine of sheltering and trying to make things better for our domesticated ferrets I had been contacted by persons stating they were working toward a cause of eliminating ferret mills worldwide... these statements came from sources amongst the PETA organization. While I admit they are a scary group-- with some real extreme histories on animals-- I thought, what the heck-- it IS the cause. As you can imagine this is becoming one heck of a ride! A second organization which is identified as AVAR - (American Veterinarians for Animal Rights) http://envirolink.org/arrs/avar/avar_www.htm I contacted this group asking for them to consider -- within their puppy mill campaign -- to extend the campaign to the ferret mills. Heck every shelterer who takes in 50 or more pet store ferrets each year gets to this state of mind. Well, to my amusement perhaps amazement, I received as reply. AVAR had indeed filed complaints in two states MI and NY but only against the practice within the mills of using lay persons for neuter procedures. I guess that is something-- but not exactly what I hoped for. Then -- Lo and behold they admitted they are opposed to legalization in CA -- WHAT? You bet, they opposed -- now it is my turn to take up the chalice of opposition. In a civil correspondence with Teri the AVAR rep., I have several times tried to explain the errs ( in my view) of their AVAR's) ways-- there are many ferrets in CA, living as pets , heck perhaps even multiplying. Who would expect anything other, after all cats and dogs do too! I wanted them to see that education not misinformation was the key there is already PLENTY of that in CA .This is what I got back in response: >Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 12:55:42 -0800 >To: Ferret Wise Shelter <[log in to unmask]> >From: AVAR <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: Introduction >Alicia: I am perplexed by your response. If we are to help, we have to >expose the situation with ferret breeding. You asked me to expose the >problems with ferret mills - we did. The reason ferrets are ending up >in shelters is because they are becoming unwanted, like cats and dogs. >Legalizing them in California will ensure more ferrets in shelters and, >subsequently, euthanized. Yes, we are aware there are many thousands of >ferrets already in California. However, they are not being confiscated >nor is the Dept of Fish and Game going after these people. They also are >able to get vet care. Yes, I realize that, because of the way the laws >are written, Marshall Farms has been allowed to proceed with inappropriate >surgical procedures. However, the licensing board recognizes that this is >inappropriate and had agree to evaluate the matter. The question is >whether the individuals performing the surgery are the 'owners' of the >animals. We don't believe they are. The MN board of licensing agrees >that the law needs to be clarified. We have asked them to do this. Teri You see -- they AVAR are NOT concerned with Animal Rights! They are only concerned with WHO is breeding ferrets, not that the ferrets in CA have rights -- the right to be pets, the right for decent veterinary care without the threat of seizure!!! Holy cow! I think I have found another name for PETA... but I could be wrong. In response to AVAR reply I wrote: Hello Again Teri. I am not sure why you are so perplexed about my response. I did not write to you as an anti-pet agency-- but are you? It is not illegal for people to allow a dog to have puppies, a cat to have kittens, why should it be so alarming that ferrets kept in that state can also reproduce. The animals are there-- and they are capable of reproducing BECAUSE they are NOT from the ferret mills! The ferrets do not reproduce knowing they are in violation of laws drawn from ignorance.... but CA F&G and you folks do... unless you are way behind in your reading. I know that this is an argument that no one knows how to broach -- the facts are that the animals will reproduce-- I can't change that, you can't change that -- barring setting up stings and invading the civil rights of all people in the state of California to murder their healthy well loved pets. That is not something that anyone I know of except maybe PETA radicals who think no animals should be pets would do -- for example when mink were freed only to attack and kill each other-- remember that one? I feel that it is a backwards ploy you take at trying to keep domesticated ferrets from being legal in California -- one state only in the US ( with the exception of Hawaii). Why do you persist at forcing owners to keep their beloved pets in fear? -- just because they live in a particular state? Is this senseable to you? There are existing shelters in place in CA. The CA F&G are aware of this . The CDFA, FA and other CA groups have gone to great length to protect confiscated ferrets and get them safely out of state when the need arises. I ask what good does your stance make on this issue. Mills yes indeed ferret mills I asked for your help in ridding the lab providers-- not in taking pets away from loving homes with human caretakers who provide nourishment, veterinary care for the love of their pets. Something is awry I am sure-- but what does the ferret mill issue have to do with pet ferrets? I certainly do not know who breeds ferrets in CA-- I am on the east coast. I do know it happens-- every day. I communicate with many folks-- and if I knew where they were I wouldn't sacrifice their pets for an issue which seems to have no bearing on the issue I contacted you about-- laboratory animals-- particularly ferrets which are supplied by the ferret mills. I do have contact with many sources in the ferret community, but I am likely to say you seem not to be a friend to ferrets, but rather a foe. Your concern is who is breeding an illegal pet? NOT that the pet should not be termed illegal -- except for the unknowing souls which have deliberately confused the issues. A ferret is NOT a wild animal, a ferret is NOT a captured animal, a ferret in then United States is NOT a feral animal. They are DOMESTICATED, first arrived in this country as rodent control and rabbitting with the early settlers on sailing ships. A ferret is a pet, like the dog and cat. There is much material about this already. The CDC has done numbers of tests and deem the ferret a lesser risk for spreading rabies through an exposure than both the canine and feline companions. I only ask that you consider these points and not confuse the issues. I personally feel you are doing a dis service to the ferret and those who would like to keep their pets in CA. After all I spend many volunteer hours caring for ferrets in shelter environment. I see both sides of the issue on a daily basis. Unless you want to exterminate all pets-- why do you persist in trying to eliminate this choice of pet for a select group of people? The ferret community needs to educate people, vets and professionals. Until the confusion on what is legal and what is not is resolved, this cannot be done. I believe that you are putting a cart before a horse in your stance to uphold the illegal status in CA. That is all. So sorry I could not provide you with more than generalities-- but IF your informational sources are accurate they should be able to provide you with the information you request-- I will be watching and others I expect will be too! alicia There it is in a nutshell CA battles rage on thanks to yet another uneducated and uncaring organization ( in MY opinion) -- we need to continue educating -- or these other groups will try to turn the tables on us-- so sorry it is LONG! alicia [Posted in FML issue 2913]