Why are Ferrets Illegal?

[nismosmama]

I was reading a ferret magazine at the vets the other day, they seem like such fun loving animals to have. I wouldn't mind having a ferret friend around. But I'm from California where having ferrets as pets is illegal. I looked up on it some, but I'm still not very clear. Anyone know Exactly why ferrets are illegal. Some of the stuff I've read is stuff like, they can be dangerous and bite, they will multiply and harm the bird wildlife, and stuff like that. But those can obviously be disputed. I'm just curious to why of all animals ferrets are illegal only in California and Hawaii

[kimberly78]

There are tons of animals that are legal in one state and not in others. Mainly due to whats wild in your state. In each state a certain "domestic" pet if it becomes "free" may not have any natural predators therfore allowing that animal to breed and become a nussance. Plus if some became wild they can carry disease which than can spread to other animals which may include livestock which in turn can harm humans. Did this help?

[zakfoxmom]

I live in Southern California. While ferrets are illegal to have as pets, it doesn't stop people from owning them. I was at the vet months ago and there was a man there with his ferret and I asked about the illegal thing and he smiled and said "this isn't a ferret." We got to talking more and he and his wife had three of them, if I remember correctly. I think its a don't ask, don't tell thing and nobody really cares.

[aqh88]

Lots of pets are illegal in california. I believe gerbils are and sugar gliders. Can't think what else right now but I vowed to never move there.

[Pigaroo Mama]

Originally Posted by aqh88

Lots of pets are illegal in california. Can't think what else right now but I vowed to never move there.

Ditto, ditto, ditto.
I think breathing & having fun are also illegal there... of course, getting lots of free money & assistance, when you're not even a legal resident, is not... but that's a different topic.

[l_eris_l]

My simple answer to your question? Because the legislature is stupid.

FYI - Ferrets are also illegal in New York.

And at your post Pigaroo Mama!


~Eris~

[C&K]

I think they are worried that such animals could really flourish in the wilds if they escape or are released on purpose, essentially becoming an invasive spieces. They could outcompete similar native spieces, or consume other animals at a very harmful rate, thus upsetting the balance in the ecosystem.

Why California and not elsewhere? Because California tends to be more on top of environmental issues then perhaps anywhere else in North America.

[l_eris_l]

That is probably the reason they give, but following that logic, why not ban rabbits? Or cats? They probably have a greater ability to flourish in the wild than ferrets ever would.


~Eris~

[Sabriel]

To my knowledge there are no bans on any small animals here, just pit bulls and we haven't had any problems with free roaming ferrets or gerbils.

Then again I fail to see how gerbils could survive and thrive as a species in the wild if a handful of them escape. There are plenty of animals that would find them very tasty indeed.

[Chloë-Jasmine]

I was really upset when I heard about the pit bull thing. It made me want to go find one and spoil the crap outta it. It's funny how the law works like that, they say 'no' you say 'well, they'll never know'.

[l_eris_l]

Ugghhh... Don't even get me started on pit bull bans. Breed discrimination at its finest.

I am involved in pit bull rescue and have worked for vets, and have yet to meet an aggressive pit bull. (And I mean aggressive with humans. We did see the occasional dog-aggressive pit). However, I have been attacked and/or bitten by Chihuahuas, Cairn Terriers, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, and Labrador Retrievers. But no bans on them to my knowledge...

I really think the law makers either don't know or don't care about the facts. And the media's coverage really skews reality so that there is no fact to be found out there.

Pit bulls are very playful, like to jump on people, and can be quite mouthy. They are like puppies for their entire lives. Much like ferrets you could say. When most people see the "weasel war dance" for the first time they think the ferrets have rabies and are attacking... *shakes head*


~Eris~

[l_eris_l]

Originally Posted by Sabriel

Then again I fail to see how gerbils could survive and thrive as a species in the wild if a handful of them escape. There are plenty of animals that would find them very tasty indeed.

The same with ferrets for me. Yummy snack for a coyote or something... And it's not like they can climb trees to escape like feral cats do.


~Eris~

[Access]

You cannot buy or sell, but you can own one. People get them from out-of-state. Many of the local pet stores sell ferret toys and other types of ferret gear.

[l_eris_l]

Access, are you referring to CA or NY?

[BabyGrl]

I live in Michigan where ferrets are legal. Right now within 50 miles of my house there are over 200 ferrets waiting to be adopted. There is a huge problem with people buying them at the pet store and not realizing how long they live or how much work they are, or how mischeivious they can be. Then they get dumped at rescues. The problem here with ferrets is way worse than the problem with guinea pigs. That could be part of the reason they are banned elsewhere.

[naturestee]

Originally Posted by Sabriel

Then again I fail to see how gerbils could survive and thrive as a species in the wild if a handful of them escape. There are plenty of animals that would find them very tasty indeed.

One word: STARLINGS!

One schmuck decided that he wanted every species of bird ever mentioned by Shakespeare to be in America. So he brought over a small number of starlings, which should have been small and "tasty." This first batch did not make a successful colony, most likely because of the small genetic pool (this was a case study in my Ecology class). The second batch thrived... and spread over the whole country. There are flocks of thousands of them in farm fields everywhere!

California also has the problem of having a suitable climate for tropical species. Among others, African clawed frogs have been found living in the wild there. Which, by the way, carry a disease that is decimating native frog populations, especially in Latin America.

House mice and rats are European species that quickly colonized North America and tons of other places. The most common cockroach species is also European.

And it's way too late to stop cats. I love them, but only when they are indoors. The do so much damage.

Anyway, that's my rant. I hope I didn't offend anybody. There are lots of examples of species thriving in new places. This may not always be the cause of the laws against keeping certain animals as pets, but it is definately a concern in some areas. Especially since so many people abandon them when they are tired of them. They ruin it for the responsible pet parents.

[l_eris_l]

Introduced species are definitely a problem around the world. I think some of the most striking examples are rabbits, cats, mice, and deer in Australia.

Preventing people from releasing their pets into the wild is a huge concern. In CT it is now illegal to sell Koi fish in pet stores because so many of them are being dumped in natural bodies of water when they outgrow artificial ponds.

Don't worry naturestree, you didn't offend. You're just stating the facts.

What I don't understand though is the "introduced species" logic for ferrets. If CA is using this logic, then African Dwarf Frogs (like you said), rabbits, cats, rats, etc should ALL be banned. But they're not. I think ferrets as a whole are just misunderstood, and seen as these viscous little predators, which is why cute little froggies and fluffy kitties aren't banned and ferrets are.

As for the argument that ferrets are wild animals (not domesticated). Now I don't know about you, but have you ever seen a wild ferret? I haven't. The only wild ferret relatives out there are the Black-Footed Ferret, the weasel, and the polecat (all are a totally different species than the domesticated ferret). This is different from say, an African Grey Parrot. Now they are NOT domesticated. Captive parrots are the exact same species as their wild relatives. And alot of warmer climates have parrot problems from pets that were released.

I really think that ferrets would be utterly incapable of surviving in the wild. My own ferrets can barely even get food out of their treat ball successfully! I still love them though.

Also, about 5 years ago I found a ferret in a city I was driving through. He ran across the road in front of my car and I pulled over and grabbed him from under a car on the side of the street. I asked around the houses there and left my phone number but no one ever claimed him. He was dirty and skinny and obviously not surviving well in the "wild" at all. Now that's just one ferret, but I doubt many others would do much better. (By the way, he lived a few more happy years before I lost him to cancer).


Here are some interesting sites that I've turned up about ferrets being illegal:

http://www.goldenstateferretsociety....California.pdf

http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Legal1-FM.htm

(This one is sad. They raided her home, took her ferret and killed it, and she was convicted of weilding a knife!)
http://www.smartvoter.org/2002/11/05..._p/paper1.html



~Eris~