Fear and Loathing From Las Vegas

I just arrived home from Las Vegas and wanted to share our traumatic experience with you guys.
While in Vegas with both of my children, ages 14 and 8. We went to a pet store and purchased a ferret and all the acoutrements needed to have a good time with her. We named her Sweetie and enjoyed her a lot.We had never held or played with one before and were very excited to find out how much fun and sweet their disposition is! We fell in love very quickly!
  On the way home, coming through the agriculture stop, they saw her through the window and called us out.
They took our little Sweetie and all her stuff away from us. Both of my children are and were devastated. They wouldn't even let me take her back into Vegas. Needless to say, after holding, playing and snuggling that little ball of fluff I am even more supportive of your cause. She was the sweetest animal I have ever held. Both of my kids disolved into tears right there, as did I. We felt horrible just leaving her there, but they told us a ferret rescue would be called. I cried the rest of the way home as did my kids. It was a horrible conclusion to an otherwise lovely vacation.
  I am upset, not only because of the money we spent,  almost 500.00 for everything we bought,but that they treat them so casually. You can't even get a game license right now because of all that is going on.
So, I understand the intense and fearsome fight you have before you!
Thank you for fighting for these little guys, and if anyone out there has one that needs a home I am more than willing to take them!

And from the daughter:

My mom already told you her side. She is Myriam and I am her 14 yr old daughter Nathalie and this is my side. We bought the cutest little ferret she was whit with speckled black so originally she was named Sprinkles but that didn’t fit her so she went to being Sweetie, our little Sweetie. She was adorable and loved to play. Her favorite thing to do was to try to climb down your shirt and she tickled a lot. We got to the department of agriculture (argh I hate them right now). They saw her cage (cuz we built it- bad move on our part) and said to me that they needed her put in the cage so they could take her. I started crying and I got out and put her in I was devastated. I cried the whole time. it was unfair to us and poor Sweetie that they took her we paid $500 + for her and she meant so much to me and my family . So now I’m even more approving of our cause. Since I’m entering high school I need hours so I’m trying to work at an animal shelter where I'll spread the word even more I want to do everything possible to help these sweet creatures (and if anyone has one they’re getting rid of my mom and I might want to take it ) I was happy I had a chance to experience these sweet sweet creatures .
luv nathalie

My name is Catherine. I was blessed to be the mother to Shasta.  When we resided in California, we had a very disturbing run in with the Fish and Game.

I was taking care of my elderly Father who was very sick and mourning the loss of my Mother. He had had a Massive Heart Attack and I needed to have a caregiver come in when I needed to leave the house. It became necessary for me to fire this caregiver due to behavioral misconduct on her part. While I will not go into the details, I will tell you that she came from an agency and while they said that they only hire people with a clear background check, this was far from the case.

Two days later, someone came knocking on the door. Much to my surprise, it was a California Fish and Game Officer.  He had told me that someone reported a Ferret/Shasta was living in our home and had bitten the reporting party.  As there were no other people coming into the house, I immediately knew who it was. It was the caregiver who had an axe to grind.  She didn't care that this false report could result in the killing of an innocent animal.  I tell you, I was scared nearly to death. But, the love for my Shasta gave me the necessary strength to overcome this potentially life threatening experience. 

The officer said that he wanted me to produce the "Ferret." I immediately asked for a search warrant.  He did not have one.  He was very calm. In fact, it was after 6:00 PM and all he really wanted to do was to get home. I told him that my Father was sick and that we had fired the caregiver.  I let him know that this report came from a person who was out to get even for her firing.  He wanted to enter the house. In order to stall, I told him that I wanted to call my attorney.  I was given the name of an attorney who fought for the rights of Ferrets, but I only got an answering machine.  I then called my vet. She tried to help me keep my head on straight. I pretended that she was my attorney. Again, while on the phone, I asked the Fish and Game Officer if he had a warrant?  He did not.  I would not let him in. Knowing or believing that I had an attorney, he did not force himself into the house. All this time, Shasta was napping in one of his hiding places. Thank God he did not wake up.  I then called my friend. I told her what was happening and she agreed to come to the house. She came around the back and I was able to slip Shasta out the window and they went to a safe place.

All of this occurred within a 45 minute period. The Officer was getting impatient, but never really got angry. He considered this a hassle. He said that the Fish and Game have bigger fish to fry so to speak.  But, that he had to follow up since a report was made. Since Shasta was safely out of the neighborhood, I let the Officer in the house. Shasta never lived in a cage.  He was potty trained.  The officer found some Ferret poop and asked me what it was?  My vet had told me that Cat and Ferret poop look much the same.  Either way, the Officer seemed to know that either Shasta had gotten away, or he was simply fed up and wanted to get home. He warned me and went on his way.  I tell you, I have been frightened in my lifetime, but this left me scarred for a very long time. There was no way that I would have given up my baby without going down myself. Thankfully, there were many interventions from my vet, a somewhat sympathetic officer, God and my unwavering love for my baby, Shasta.

This is not to say that another officer would not have been more forceful.  If you have a Ferret. Have a plan of action ahead of time, just in case an officer shows up at your door.  Never open your home before knowing who is on the other side of the door.  If it is the Fish and Game, put your plan into action.  You may need this time to get your Ferret off to safety.  Never could I imagine that the life of my Ferret could be taken away, but believe me it can happen.  So be careful who you let in on the fact that you have a Ferret in your home. Shasta and I were lucky. You may not be so lucky.  Be sure to know your rights. 

Later, after my father and I moved, I called this officer. I left him a message on the machine alluding to the event.  I told him that he had done something that saved the lives of several people. You see, I had just lost my Mother and was caring for my sick father. Had Shasta been taken away and killed, I don't know that I could have gone on. As ridiculous as this may sound, I just don't know. So, I thanked him.  Hopefully, he will understand that his kindness touched the lives of my Father and I. Perhaps in the future he remember that his willingness to look away was appreciated. But, you never know. So please to all of you whom are fortunate enough to have a wonderful Ferret, be careful and do all you can to help legalize these precious angels that have blessed our lives.

Shasta and I would go on to live a very happy and full life together. Now that he is gone, my life is empty, sad, lonely. Cherish your babies, for you never know when they will be called away.

Sincerely,
The proudest Mother in the world.
Catherine, Shasta's Mom