Why legalize ferrets in California?

If you have ever met a ferret, you probably already understand that ferrets are domesticated housepets who don't belong under the jurisdiction of a wildlife agency called the Department of Fish and Game. If you are new to the issue of ferret legalization, you may be wondering why ferrets should be legal and why so many people are fighting to make that happen. Thank you for taking the listen to our case. Our best hope for legalization is to educate the public about the true nature of ferrets.

Let us emphasize that we are not trying to make ferrets popular or well-liked. We only ask that ferrets be judged fairly and by the same standards as cats and dogs. Although the current ban hurts only a small fraction of the population, the fight for legalization touches on issues that are close to the hearts of many: freedom of choice, animal welfare, scientific integrity, and responsible government.

People should be allowed to choose the domesticated pet most suitable for them. Both animals and their owners benefit when people are allowed to select a domesticated pet that best matches their temperament and lifestyle. For many, domesticated ferrets make the ideal pet. They are small and quiet and do well in apartments. Because they run on overdrive a few hours a day and sleep the rest of the time, they are perfect for an owner who works full-time during the day but has time to spend in the morning and evening. Their kittenish nature makes them wonderful for those who want an enthusiastic, high-energy companion.

Ferrets are legal in 48 states. Before ferrets became popular as pets in the U.S., several states had legal prohibitions against them. One by one, those bans have been overturned without opposition through various legal means. Legalization of ferrets has never led to problems. Compared with cats and dogs, ferrets have a stellar record of safety towards the environment and public health. Today California remains the only state in the continental U.S. to prohibit ferrets. It's time for us to catch up with the rest of the country.

The actions of the CDFG are inexplicable. The California Department of Fish and Game has long maintained that an Environmental Impact Report is necessary before they can remove ferrets from the list of prohibitted wild animals. The EIR would help them evaluate the threat of domesticated ferrets escaping and breeding in the wild. However, they have opposed every legislative attempt to fund such a study, regardless of whether the money comes from the taxpayers or solely from the pockets of ferret owners. Some of our bills have attempted to grandfather in ferrets who are already here and that are vaccinated and spayed or neutered. These efforts have also been opposed. We simply don't understand the threat posed to the environment by a vaccinated, neutered, indoor pet.

Ferrets do not pose an environmental threat to California. The Department of Fish and Game already knows that ferrets are not likely to harm the environment. In 1997 they conducted their own survey of all fifty state wildlife departments. The results of this survey clearly show that ferrets have never formed a feral colony or bred in the wild anywhere in the United States. This report was not made public until ferret proponents uncovered it several years later through the Freedom of Information Act.

Ferrets are already here. Despite their illegal status, there are more ferrets in California than in any other state, around 150,000 by some estimates. Major pet stores have entire aisles devoted solely to ferret care. Ferrets are rarely turned in or confiscated because the general public and even many law enforcement agents believe the ban to be unnecessary and unfair. Nevertheless, the threat of enforcement always looms. Those who dare to skirt the law live under a shadow of fear. They cannot take their pets for a walk in the park, they need to be careful not to speed while driving to the vet, and they worry that a spiteful neighbor or ex will turn in their ferrets as punishment for an unrelated dispute. Let's accept that ferrets are here to stay. They aren't hurting anybody and their owners should be able to enjoy them openly.

Ferrets do not suffer from overbreeding. With animal shelters overflowing with cats and dogs, those who care about animal welfare may be concerned about legalizing yet another breed of animal. Ferrets have several natural advantages that protect them from overbreeding. Females who are not raised specifically as breeders must be spayed for health reasons. Males are typically neutered because it helps to reduce their strong musky odor. Almost all pet store ferrets are spayed or neutered before they are sold. Because ferrets are indoor pets who only go outside on a leash, ferret owners have much more control over them. (You won't see ferrets just running around looking for eligible partners!)

There exists many loving ferret shelters across the country who take in ferrets when their owners can no longer keep them. These shelters generally have a no-kill policy. They exist to give ferrets a good life and hopefully to adopt them out to new homes. Ferrets are not likely to suffer the same tragedy as cats and dogs, with tens of thousands of shelter animals being euthanized for lack of homes.