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Member Photos
Here's my baby, Shiloh, only 6 months old. Tell me she's not turning into a beauty. Linda
Before anyone complains - the ferret is not drinking beer. Its just a cute ferret on the label. Kind of like Fat Weasel Ale, this must be Fat Weasel Thunderbird. Kind of goes with the three baby ferrets above in the booze glass.
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A Cute Photo To Start Off This Week's CLIFFNotes
To EIR or Not EIR
This week, I'm reporting that real progress is being made, but we won't be reporting on the actual progression of events happening for fear of shooting ourselves in the foot. While the EIR is a very real possibility in the very near future - and something that very well must be done in order to legalize domestic ferrets in California, all routes towards legalization are being carefully considered, and ground work towards each destination is being carefully weighed. Because of this, we may not have much to report each and every week, but we're definitely forging ahead and working to get "our ducks in a row" to make sure that when it is time to file an EIR - we've left no stone unturned. This is often a long and tedious process, even when all of the information needed to complete an EIR is readily available. Such work has never been done before that would help us in our quest, so it will likely take time.
I'm ready to accept the donation offered and hire our EIR/CEQA (Environmental Impact Report/California Environmental Quality Act) consultant and get this thing going, but there still may be more that can be done before we need to file the EIR. This doesn't mean that we can't keep moving in that direction however. My opinion is that nothing is going to happen without doing what the state requires of us, and although I would like to see things moving a whole lot faster - however some things just take time - and I'm just not that patient by nature.
The other opinion is we have is more interest in:
* What were the main issues being used by the Opposition in 2007? Are there additional issues,
and if so, what are these?
* What support does the Opposition have for each of these issues?
I hope we can work all roads to legalization with the realization we will eventually have to do the EIR. There must be support to do it, and we hope that our donor has the patience to stick it out. If they were to back out (which is their right) and other people don't wish to pay for it, it won't happen.
The above was written by Lance who edited what I had written. This is a team effort. But I really wanted to ad my analogy why we need an EIR:
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Look at this way. Mario Andretti moves to California and he wants a California drivers license. He finally reaches the counter but he doesn't want to officially apply, pay the license fee and take the test. He wants to explain what a great driver he is. He's brought press clippings about the races he's won out of state and his low accident rate. He is the most famous race car driver in the world - surely he is good enough to be allowed to drive on California roads. Do you think he could get a California's driver's license? |
I am interested in hearing from readers - do you think legalization is possible without an EIR?
 There's Still Time to Enter Our LegalizeFerrets.org YouTube Contest
- We Have $500 For First Place Winner!
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1st Prize - $500 |
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2nd Prize - Marshall Pet Products Gift Assortment |
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3rd Prize - $25 gift certificate from Dr Fosters and Smith |
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4th Prize - $25 gift certificate from Pingsford Porridge |
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5th Prize - lifetime supply of chew weasels and foam fries ~ thank you Hyperfur! |
July 4th is the deadline to get your YouTube video up promoting ferret legalization. Please click on the graphic above for more details. I don't think any of the ones submitted so far have really hit the nail on the head - but I think one comes close. We vote on the favorite between July 5th and July 12th. Get your videos rolling!
2008 Ferret Legalization Ride in the Works
We now have flyers for the First Annual Ferret Legalization Ride, and an official patch designed by famous ferret cartoonist Deva Kolb for the ride! Today, the founders of Orange County Ferrets visited Cooks Corner in the hills of OC, and passed out flyers for the Ferret Legalization Ride. They also took the opportunity to educate those at the famous motorcyclists' gathering spot about domestic ferrets and their plight in California as a banned species. Feedback was very positive and we are really getting excited about this first-ever ride for ferret legalization. After the 85 mile ride through some of the most gorgeous areas of San Diego County, we'll find our way to our destination where there will be music, a BBQ, a DJ and fun & games. Funds raised from the ride will benefit the California Domestic Ferret Educational Alliance - CDFEA. All riders must have proof of motorcycle insurance and their M1 motorcycle endorsement on their person, available at registration at El Cajon Harley Davidson.
We're still in the process of looking for event sponsors (would you like to sponsor ?)The official flyer is now available at http://www.ocferrets.org/ferretlegalizationride08.pdf
Weasel Time
Well, you asked for it... You said you LOVE to share our photos!!
My friend is licensed in opossum rehabilitation. Someone brought her these adorable local weasels for rehab & release. I considered myself incredibly fortunate to be able to spend time with these little cousins to our beloved furbabies, as they are so rarely seen. They were captured and released in the Inland Empire. I’m sure the other CLIFFNotes readers would LOVE to see them.
Bless you for all your hard work for our beloved fuzzies.
Terri M
Riverside County Ferrets
Note- last year was crazy with long-tailed weasels. People call us because they caught a ferret. People catch weasels, people find ferrets. So far this year the only incident is a Petco saying someone gave them a baby ferret but the ferret was attacking everything in their aquarium. I hate to think they had a weasel on display.
A Common Question We Get...
Subject: help please
Hello, I need a little bit of info ...I've looked everywhere and I know in California you can get a permit for a spayed/neutered ferret but where do you go? I can't find anything on where to go to get the permit. I live in California and I would like to get a ferret but NOT without a permit because I could not stand seeing it being taken away?? please help me?????
You can not get a permit for a ferret as an individual. Only zoos and educational facilities can get them. I once heard someone from the San Diego zoo say that of all the permits required, getting permits for the domestic ferret was the most difficult.
Incidentally, the last time I saw ferrets at the San Diego zoo – children’s section, they had eucalyptus branches and big hamster-like wheel to play with (this was about ten years ago).
Of all the bad things that can happen to ferrets – and there are many, confiscation by Animal Control should be way down there on your list of worries. The number one problem I see with ferrets is they simply get out. A lost ferret should be every ferret owner’s nightmare. Then there are ferrets killed by dogs, crushed in the recliner, trapped in the dishwasher. This doesn’t even include the medical problems; insulinoma, adrenal disease, unknown cancers and other medical conditions, intestinal blockages from eating things like ear plugs.
If you do not take your ferret out in public the chances of having problems with Animal Control or the Department of Fish and Game are very remote.
Ferret Sitter Need in La Mesa -
I was hoping that I could ask you to put a request for help. I need a ferret sitter ASAP. Camillo just returned from Iraq just a month ago and had to take emergency family leave. I need to go out of town unexpectedly, and the people I have used in the past (Theresa and her sister), aren't able to ferret-sit.
If you could put the word out if anyone could ferret sit for about 10 days, I would really appreciate it. There are three ferrets, all get along with other ferrets. One is on medication twice a day (prednisone for insulinoma) and the other two are super healthy. You can have them email me at ortofuchi@yahoo.com Thanks so much!
In Conclusion
Working with people is tough. I am grateful for the mature groups I work with who know how to disagree in some areas but not take things personally.
This is the second time this week things haven't gone smoothly amongst ferret people that I've known about. Lance M. has done a terrific job smoothing out personal relationships. I think he as the patience of a saint and very thick skin. I am sorry to have added to his difficulties.
They say managing ferret people is like herding ferrets. The normal expression is "herding cats." It is difficult to herd ferrets - but they are joyful at our attempts. Ferret people tend to hiss and be difficult at times too - I think they are more like cats.
Lance has done a marvelous job pulling us all together.
From Lance:
I'm going to paste in part of an email I sent out to many of the chapter heads and area contacts of Ferrets Anonymous this past week. This was after an email was sent out to them - that some felt endangered their anonymity. I didn't do anything more than to accept responsibility for safeguarding all information entrusted to me. To me, keeping a positive attitude is the best weapon we have towards educating the public, and working with one another.
"To keep from spreading negativity throughout FA, we all have to remember to keep certain things to ourselves at times. We all have a responsibility to the organization to make sure that you remain as positive as possible (when interacting with the public and each other).
If any information is published at any time in the Ferret Paw Print, CLIFFNotes, the state FA website or anywhere that I have the ability to edit - that endangers the anonymity of its members - I will take full responsibility for it. Because I take this responsibility, I will also reserve the right to reject ANY article or content in the newsletter that I feel may endanger anyone, or any group, in any fashion.
I'm POSITIVE that members can turn negative feelings towards one another into a POSITIVE mechanism for change and success. It takes everyone to make this happen however.
That said, I hope everyone is ready to make positive changes for the future."
...far from the words of a saint, but thanks Pat!
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Ten Most Recent Members of the 3000 Club
