The Coast News Group
Community CommentaryOpinion

Ferret legalization proclamation needed

This is an unusual request. Normally this is an issue for the Fish and Game Commission. And we’ve been trying for 30 years. After meeting every objection they placed in our path they finally said, “Yes we know ferrets are domestic, but they’re classified as wild. If we proceed with the legalization process, we’ll get sued by the “environmentalists.” It’s out of our hands — find a legislator to introduce a ferret legalization bill.”

This is their way of moving the ball out of their court. “Find a legislator?!” They knew we’ve been trying to recruit a legislator since Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a ferret amnesty bill in 2004.

Ferrets are legal in 48 states, but California is not one of them.

How easy is it for an underfunded group to recruit a legislator? From Sen. Andy Vidak’s legislative director after we formally asked:

“After reviewing your proposal, along with the history of introductions and vetoes of similar bills and your recent ballot proposition attempt, our office has decided we will not be introducing this measure next year.”

To even get a response from Sen. Vidak’s office took a few hundred emails from ferret lovers. Legislators’ normal response is to ignore us. A fact that Assemblyman Marc Steinorth mentioned at a town hall meeting. He later said he was joking but that does seem to be the official Republican position – ignore California ferret lovers.

We heard from multiple legislative directors they expect our annual appeal to find a legislative sponsor. They roll their eyes, they say no or they ignore us and expect it again the next year.

What’s the big deal with ferrets? Certifiably domestic. Legal in 48 states. Never an issue of feral populations or attacks on wildlife. They’re harmless house pets. Yet it continues to be a misdemeanor in California. People can’t move here with their ferrets. You probably can’t get a security clearance or be a foster parent. I myself was denied a real estate license because of my ferret activism.

This is clearly a case of when the door slam shuts, crawl through the window. That is what we are doing.

When I asked the city of La Mesa for a proclamation, I felt it landed with a thud. Luckily on our City Council is Kristine Alessio, an activist with the Savannah cat community who has faced similar issues. We also had Councilman Bill Baber, who knew a ridiculous law when he saw it. Thanks to them and the other two City Councilmembers, Guy McWhirter and Colin Parent, and our outstanding mayor, Mark Arapostathis, the city of La Mesa issued the first proclamation calling on the state Legislature to pass ferret legalization legislation.

We have politicians with courage who stand up for the little guy. What a great feeling!

All politics is local. And meeting City Council members at the grocery store or on my dog walks brings a connection. Meeting state legislators at official functions puts the little guy at a disadvantage.

The ferret community of California is now looking to Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear and the four City Council members to stand up for us. Examine our issue (which neither the Fish and Game Commission nor the state Legislature has ever done) and come up with the only sane conclusion:

1) Ferrets are domestic animals

2) There is no reason to prohibit them

3) Ask the legislature for an introduction of responsible legislation to legalize them.

Please help us. We are running out of windows.

We are locked out of the Fish and Game Commission and we haven’t been able to attract a state legislator.  Help us crawl through this window. Freedom rings!

Pat Wright is a North County native currently  living in La Mesa.

CORRECTION: This story was originally posted with a photo of a mongoose, not a ferret.

2 comments

Pat J Wright December 8, 2017 at 6:26 pm

I am so grateful that the Coast News published my commentary, but you’re right. That ain’t no ferret. Which I guess means we have our work cut out for us!

Elaine December 8, 2017 at 5:10 pm

The article is about ferrets, why is the picture of a mongoose on it?

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