The 3000 Club Currently Has
523 Members

Vol 3 • No 2 - January 13, 2008
 
Member Submissions
 
I am currently in the military and stationed in Japan, however I am also a California resident (and ferret owner) and plan to return to California in the future. I support your cause 110% and wish I had more money to make a significant contribution! Anyway, here's a few photos of our ferret 'Gary' from Japan. Hope to see them in the next newsletter!!
 
Sincerely,
Stefan H
 
 
 
 
Do you have a list of food that ferrets should absolutely NOT eat?

I know one of them is chocolate, but mine have been so sneaky they seem to find it.  

Please advise if you can.   As soon as my husband gets off disability and goes back to work, I will join.  He was self employed

so he doesn't receive disability benefits.  One income has been very difficult over the last year.

Thanks.

Sheri O

Ferret Foods
We could spend hours discussing foods, and many ferrets owners often do. Ferrets are obligate carnivores, so they should only eat foods from meat sources. There  are many types of kibble on the market meant for ferrets. Not all kibble is created equally however. Kibble that has absolutely protein sources based on grain or other vegetable sources should be avoided. All fruits and vegetables should be avoided as well due to the ferret's inability to process plant/vegetable matter.

Just a few examples of some good kibble on the market includes (In no particular order):
  • Innova Evo Ferret Food
  • Innova Evo Kitten Food
  • Totally Ferret Food (many varieties available)
  • Natural Gold Ferret Food
  • Zupreem Ferret Diet
  • 8-1- "Ultimate" Ferret Food
There are other brands of course that may be just as good, but there are even more that aren't fit for ferrets' proper diet. Make sure you read the labels for ingredients!

Belgian Pipe Cleaners
 
désolé je ne parle que français
je vous écris car je trouve dommage que le furet ne soit pas légal en californie
 
je vous soutiens de tous coeur et j'espère que les choses vont changer
 
je vais placer le lien de votre site sur le mien
 
voici mon site sur les furets www.fufus.be
 
j'ai 7 furets et ils sont tous merveilleux
 
Translation - from Babel:
afflicted I only speak French I write to you because I find damage that the pipe cleaner is not legal in California I support you of all heart and I hope that the things will change I will place the bond of your site on mine here my site on the pipe cleaners www.fufus.be I have 7 pipe cleaners and they all are marvellous
 
Towards the end of the video is a photo of another type of mustelid - a Russian Sable (Martes zibellina). You Tube has a few videos about them. -They're gorgeous, although very rambunctious!
 What To Do With $50k - CEQA Might Be Our Best Bet
 
After some thought and discussion, we are leaning towards the idea of using a 50k donation on a CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) study.
 
Not that the money is in the bank.  Two weeks ago we received an inquiry about someone wanting to make the donation - but what would we do with it.
 
Last week we ran a poll (three people reported they couldn't vote- sorry) and here are the results:

Our trusted advisor recommends we get a professional business plan written to submit to the donor. 
 
A message went out to Matthew Magorien at Assemblyman Anderson's office on Wednesday but we haven't heard back. The California Department of Fish and Game has long maintained that they won't persue ferret legalization until ferret supporters pay for a CEQA study.  We want to know how serious they are about it.
 
Governor Schwarzenegger's Veto Message Regarding Ferrets
"I love ferrets. I co-starred with a ferret in 'Kindergarten Cop,' " Schwarzenegger insisted in his veto message. "However, this bill is too bureaucratic and it legalizes ferrets prior to conducting an environmental impact report

The last ferret legalization bill by Assemblyman Paul Koretz (AB647) authorized $35,000 for a CEQA.  If the CEQA study found any possibility that ferrets could have any impact on the environment there was another $250,000 for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  According to the Ferrets Anonymous website (www.ferretsanonymous.com) AB647 died from a procedural rift.  If you believe that, please email me - I have some lovely Arizona beach front property for you.  AB647 was a skillful manipulation of our dreams and it was never meant to go anywhere. 
 
Can we trust our Governor and the Fish and Game Commission/Department?  History tells us "No." 
 
The benefit we would get is having a professional study done by a non-interested party (someone with nothing to benefit) saying ferrets are not a threat to the enviroment, public health, etc.



 Legislators Refuse To Answer Our Requests
 
At this late date we still have yet to receive on real answer from any of the 80 assembly members or 40 state senators regarding our request for a legislative sponsor for a ferret legalization bill in 2008 and time is about out.  Private responses and off-the-cuff remarks have all been negative, and often not very polite.  Reminds of where we were when I first started this in the late 80's.
 
My recommendation is to monitor the 2008 election and send every candidate a questionaire, the white paper and a copy of the CEQA study.  We certainly don't want to support any of the current legislators seeking reelection or higher office.


Ferrets Anonymous To Get a New Board in 2008
 
We rarely hear from the statewide Ferrets Anonymous.  I haven't paid for the Ferret Paw Print and they never send it.  Most members of the Board have unsubscribed from CLIFFNotes.  But word has filtered down that the entire board has decided against re-election at the next Ferret Round Up in March of 2008.
 
Lance M, who narrowly lost being elected President of Ferrets Anonymous last year, says he is leaning towards running this year.  If so, he will also need a new vice chair, secretary, treasurer and members at large. 
 
Details on the Round Up are at the Ferrets Anonymous website, www.ferretsanonymous.com.



Goals for 2008
 
Perhaps with new blood at Ferrets Anonymous will come new direction.  One thing I am very concerned with is a lack of goals.  What should California ferret lovers be doing to advance legalization?
 
These suggestions came in:
  • Develop Coalitions - We need to “get into” the various groups, organizations, and mindsets that could help in ferret legalization.  These include”
  • Veterinarians (CVMA, Local County Vet Associations, Student Vets at USDavis) – Get speaking engagements for pro-ferret Vets; Do a “Show and Tell” program for the Students at UC Davis.  Get more Ferret Info into their Curriculum.  They will be your greatest allies.  Must get to them before the establishment does. 
  • Animal Welfare Orgs (HSUS, ASPCA, local shelters)  -- Here is where we need to form personal relationships that can amplify our efforts.
  • Pet Stores (they sell ferret products, but not the animals) I know that there are ferret folks who work for the Chains.  Get literature (pamphlets?) into the pet stores and Vet offices about Legalization efforts and ferrets themselves.
  • Wildlife Biologists (what are their orgs?  How can we impact these?) – Submit Abstract to state meetings?  
 
These items are - as they say - easier said than done.  But they are good goals.
 
I did get a very good suggestion to hold a rally on Valentine's Day - Not Martin Luther King Day.  Valentine's Day is on a Thursday this year.  Anyone have a location or any other ideas?

Our MTV wrestler tells us he will put together our 30 second TV spot! - I just need to get him the info ~ anyone out there good at writing brief spots?  Perhaps a contest is in the works!



In Conclusion...
 
Thanks everyone for continuing to support our efforts!
 
Donations are always appreciated  - please click here
or support us by buying a t-shirt, bumpersticker, pin, notepad or coffee mug
And if you haven't joined the 3000 Club - show your support and join now - see who else has joined.
 
Pat Wright
(619) 303-0645
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org