Why are ferrets illegal in California?

Answer 1

Ferrets are illegal in California because the California Department of Fish and Game claims that if ferrets are let out into the wild, they would mate, multiply, become feral and could threaten native wildlife. Which is total nonsense, Ferrets have been domesticated for so long, they no longer possess any natural instinct to survive in the wild, and at the most would probably last about three days. Ferrets sold at pet stores have been neutered, therefore unable to breed. California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger still refuses to legalize ferrets as pets.

The California Department of Fish and Game also reference the problems in New Zealand where ferrets are feral, predate on native wildlife and are considered pests. These are not true domesticated ferrets. When ferrets where first brought to New Zealand they were bred with the European Polecat ferret and that enabled them to survive in the wild.

Importation and possession of domestic ferrets have been restricted California since 1933, when the first State law restricting the importing of animals into the California was passed. The animals restricted under that law are had a list that the Legislature originally called the "Wild Bird and Animal" list, and was later changed to the "Wild Animal" list. The law and regulations together list animals, or groups of animals, representing thousands of species, including those that are taken from the wild, as well as captive-bred animals and many kinds of domesticated animals.

Three primary points have been raised by the California Department of Fish and Game in "Department of Fish and Game Ferret Fact Sheet, March 25, 1994."

Views expressed are summarized as follows:

• Ferrets may bite (or attack), and are especially prone to bite or scratch children and infants.

• There is no proven vaccine against rabies in ferrets.

• Ferrets may threaten native wildlife.

California Laws

• California Codes
  • California Fish and Game Code
    • FISH AND GAME CODE SECTION 2116-2127

2125. (a) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates this chapter or any regulations implementing this chapter, is subject to a civil penalty of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation. Except as otherwise provided, any violation of this chapter or of any regulations implementing this chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than six months, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(b) The Attorney General, or the city attorney of the city or the district attorney or county counsel of the county in which a violation of this article occurs, may bring a civil action to recover the civil penalty in subdivision (a) and the costs of seizing and holding the animal listed in Section 2118, except to the extent that those costs have already been collected as provided by subdivision (d). The civil action shall be brought in the county in which the violation occurs and any penalty imposed shall be transferred to the Controller for deposit in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund in accordance with Section 13001.

(c) In an action brought under this section, in addition to the penalty specified in subdivision (a), the reasonable costs of investigation, reasonable attorney's fees, and reasonable expert witness' fees may also be recovered and those amounts shall be credited to the same operating funds as those from which the expenditures for those purposes were derived.

(d) (1) If an animal is confiscated because the animal was kept in contravention of this chapter or any implementing regulations, the person claiming the animal shall pay to the department or the new custodian of the animal an amount sufficient to cover all reasonable expenses expected to be incurred in caring for and providing for the animal for at least 30 days, including, but not limited to, the estimated cost of food, medical care, and housing. (2) If the person claiming the animal fails to comply with the terms of his or her permit and to regain possession of the animal by the expiration of the first 30-day period, the department may euthanize the animal or place the animal with an appropriate wild animal facility at the end of the 30 days, unless the person claiming the animal pays all reasonable costs of caring for the animal for a second 30-day period before the expiration of the first 30-day period. If the permittee is still not in compliance with the terms of the permit at the end of the second 30-day period, the department may euthanize the animal or place the animal in an appropriate wild animal facility. (3) The amount of the payments described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be determined by the department, and shall be based on the current reasonable costs to feed, provide medical care for, and house the animal. If the person claiming the animal complies with the terms of his or her permit and regains possession of the animal, any unused portion of the payments required pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be returned to the person claiming the animal no later than 90 days after the date on which the person regains possession of the animal.

Answer 2

Ferrets are illegal in California because the California Department of Fish and Game claims that if ferrets are let out into the wild, they would mate, multiply, become feral and could threaten native wildlife. Which is total nonsense, Ferrets have been domesticated for so long, they no longer possess any natural instinct to survive in the wild, and at the most would probably last about three days. Ferrets sold at pet stores have been neutered, therefore unable to breed. California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger still refuses to legalize ferrets as pets.

The California Department of Fish and Game also reference the problems in New Zealand where ferrets are feral, predate on native wildlife and are considered pests. These are not true domesticated ferrets. When ferrets where first brought to New Zealand they were bred with the European Polecat ferret and that enabled them to survive in the wild.

Importation and possession of domestic ferrets have been restricted California since 1933, when the first State law restricting the importing of animals into the California was passed. The animals restricted under that law are had a list that the Legislature originally called the "Wild Bird and Animal" list, and was later changed to the "Wild Animal" list. The law and regulations together list animals, or groups of animals, representing thousands of species, including those that are taken from the wild, as well as captive-bred animals and many kinds of domesticated animals.

Three primary points have been raised by the California Department of Fish and Game in "Department of Fish and Game Ferret Fact Sheet, March 25, 1994."

Views expressed are summarized as follows:

• Ferrets may bite (or attack), and are especially prone to bite or scratch children and infants.

• There is no proven vaccine against rabies in ferrets.

• Ferrets may threaten native wildlife.

California Laws

• California Codes
  • California Fish and Game Code
    • FISH AND GAME CODE SECTION 2116-2127

2125. (a) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates this chapter or any regulations implementing this chapter, is subject to a civil penalty of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation. Except as otherwise provided, any violation of this chapter or of any regulations implementing this chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than six months, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(b) The Attorney General, or the city attorney of the city or the district attorney or county counsel of the county in which a violation of this article occurs, may bring a civil action to recover the civil penalty in subdivision (a) and the costs of seizing and holding the animal listed in Section 2118, except to the extent that those costs have already been collected as provided by subdivision (d). The civil action shall be brought in the county in which the violation occurs and any penalty imposed shall be transferred to the Controller for deposit in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund in accordance with Section 13001.

(c) In an action brought under this section, in addition to the penalty specified in subdivision (a), the reasonable costs of investigation, reasonable attorney's fees, and reasonable expert witness' fees may also be recovered and those amounts shall be credited to the same operating funds as those from which the expenditures for those purposes were derived.

(d) (1) If an animal is confiscated because the animal was kept in contravention of this chapter or any implementing regulations, the person claiming the animal shall pay to the department or the new custodian of the animal an amount sufficient to cover all reasonable expenses expected to be incurred in caring for and providing for the animal for at least 30 days, including, but not limited to, the estimated cost of food, medical care, and housing. (2) If the person claiming the animal fails to comply with the terms of his or her permit and to regain possession of the animal by the expiration of the first 30-day period, the department may euthanize the animal or place the animal with an appropriate wild animal facility at the end of the 30 days, unless the person claiming the animal pays all reasonable costs of caring for the animal for a second 30-day period before the expiration of the first 30-day period. If the permittee is still not in compliance with the terms of the permit at the end of the second 30-day period, the department may euthanize the animal or place the animal in an appropriate wild animal facility. (3) The amount of the payments described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be determined by the department, and shall be based on the current reasonable costs to feed, provide medical care for, and house the animal. If the person claiming the animal complies with the terms of his or her permit and regains possession of the animal, any unused portion of the payments required pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be returned to the person claiming the animal no later than 90 days after the date on which the person regains possession of the animal.