A Look Back – Why are we Doing This?

Since there isn’t a lot of earth-shaking news ferret wise this week, I think this is a good time to review and discuss why we are here.
LegalizeFerrets was established in May 2005 to see if there was enough interest in a ballot initiative to legalize ferrets. At the time our last ferret legalization bill being shepherded mostly by Jeanne Carley of Californians for Ferret Legalization was dying on the vine. The statewide chapter of Ferrets Anonymous was showing very little life. There were not a lot of options or hope for ferret legalization supporters in California.

The LegalizeFerrets.org bank account is low, low, low. Actually we are at a deficit of about $150 right now. How about a little support? Times are tough as the economy tanks - but if you can make a donation it would be greatly appreciated. Click Here to Donate.

We had a contest and the effort was named CLIFF – California Legalization Initiative For Ferrets.
A meeting was held at my home in May 2005 and it was decided not to just jump of the cliff (excuse the pun) and file for the ballot initiative. Was there enough interest? We decided to see if 3000 people would pay $10 and agree to collect 100 signatures – then we would file and try to place a ferret legalization initiative on the ballot.
I started publishing occasional emails; this is what is going on, we have this many members, please join the 3000 Club, etc. After awhile it was published on a regular basis and became a regular email newsletter which was called CLIFFNotes. The scope was increased to whatever was of interest to California ferret lovers.
While there was initial enthusiasm there was also a lot of opposition from others in the California ferret community. “A ballot initiative would set legalization efforts back for decades” we heard.
Those arguments became moot after our Field Research poll was concluded in May 2007. We were shocked and disappointed that only 38.1% of registered voters would support ferret legalization if the issue were on the ballot. There is no way to conclude a ballot initiative starting behind.
After some soul searching a member asked a surprising question – what would you do with $50,000? We put our heads together and came up with the idea of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The idea of a ferret EIR had been universally rejected previously because of the cost. Plus we don’t take the Department of Fish and Game seriously when they said we should pay for one. The last ferret legalization bill in the state assembly would have appropriated upwards of $250,000 for an EIR had it passed.

3000 Club Membership Card Front	Back
These cards are mailed out to people who join the 3000 Club. Membership starts at $10, or $5 for students or those under 18 and is tangible proof of your support for ferret legalization online membership application

We were pleasantly surprised to find a cost of about 1/10th what we previously thought. Ferrets don’t have traffic or cultural or a whole host of other concerns. -Those parts of an EIR don’t apply.
We set up a task force or working group to study the procedure. They set up to do some preliminary research and became secretive. In fact, they won’t communicate with me, I don’t like secrets!
But word is they’ve done great work and are somewhat near releasing their work. That work should go to Dr Geo Graening who will file the Environmental Impact Report with the state of California. You can hear Dr Graening’s talk to our group at www.ferretsanon.com. It is about a 65 minute talk, so go there when you have the time.

In the meantime we kept the 3000 Club going. We still need the support and donations to run this organization. As of right now, 3,774 people are being emailed CLIFFNotes. This list is clean and up-to-date. Thanks to free Craigslist ads and two web sites, we gain about 50 people a week. We also lose people who wished to be removed or whose email bounces back to us.

Hopefully in the months ahead our EIR will go forward. Dr Graening warned us that the Department of Fish and Game can chose to ignore our EIR – and we can’t let that happen. We need people to keep an eye on our rights for ferret companionship – and like all rights, we need to be vigilant.

Keep An Eye Open on Legislative Candidates

We sent every candidate for state assembly and state senate a letter asking if they would support ferret legalization if they were elected.

• Click here for state assembly candidates
• Click here for state senate candidates

The good news - a few answered and we only need one sponsor to be back in the game next year. Interestingly many of the candidates want to see the EIR before they will commit - that is an intelligent position.

The bad news - most candidates and politicians don't take us seriously.

So go ahead and check out the answers and contact the candidates in your area to thank them for responding for ask why they didn't. This will give us valuable information once the election is over.

Professional Copy Writer Hired for LegalizeFerrets.org

The LegalizeFerrets.org website has been in need of a major do-over for quite sometime. We were waiting for the Oct 11th LegalizeFerrets Revival to conclude before we set out on that project. The world is filled with talented people and we located one Kimberly Gradel to do a professional rewrite. Kimberly has sent me a questionnaire to complete before she gets started. If anyone would like to see her questionnaire and help answer it, please contact me.

The power of the Internet, these emails and Craigslist ads have really powered most of the growth of our efforts. There is a huge difference in results between professional and amateur efforts - I am really looking forward to Kimberly's efforts.

The 2009 Ferrets Anonymous Round Up -

Will be held on March 21, 2009 in Orange County. Dawn M. and OCFerrets are working on it. Save the date - if you have any suggestions, please send them to OCFerrets@yahoo.com.

"MAKE 'EM LEGAL" Jackets

Hi, Ferret Folks...I'm ready to begin taking orders from everyone who has expressed an interest in ordering a "Make 'Em Legal" jacket which has the appliqued fuzzy ferret head on the back and fuzzy ferret ears on the hood.   Locating a source for the heavy, 80% / 20% sweatshirt fabric itself in colors,  has been almost impossible.  It is sold only in huge rolls in the colors of gray, white, and charcoal.  As many of those ordering the jackets would like  a variety of colors, the easily-available anti-pill fleece, lined with flannel for warmth, would be the best way to go.  But a blue, brushed denim with a flannel lining would also be great.  The sweatshirt "blanks"  (pre-made sweatshirts) must be ordered from a supplier in ONE chosen color, in  a quantity of 24. The applique and embroidery would then be added to this "blank."    The price of this finished, embellished sweatshirt will be $45.00 +S/H  and the price of the custom made fleece or denim jacket will be $70.00  + S/H.   I've found that wearing this jacket has been a great, unexpected way to inform and advertise our cause.  I've had people ask me "What is a ferret?" and also "Why aren't they legal?"   which has opened up many interesting discussions with those who are totally unaware of the legalize ferrets situation.   I will begin taking orders for the jackets this week.   You can contact me at kjpandak@gmail.com or (760) 252-2529.    Kathy J,  and little helpers Sterling and Zonie

The Paw Print - Leaving its Mark

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 Ferret Ride Patches!

Thanks to all who purchased commemorative patches from the First Annual Ferret Legalization Ride! Proceeds benefit CDFEA. They're still available on eBay if you haven't gotten yours yet! When they're gone, they're gone! -Don't let someone else get your patch! Get yours here: Ferret Ride Patches on eBay

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 In Conclusion

Everybody stay safe. The day after Halloween is when we get the most calls for lost ferrets. Be sure to keep your ferrets away from the front door and the candy bowl that night!

Thank you for your continued support!

Pat Wright
CLIFFNotes Editor
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
(619) 303-0645

Lance M.
Founder, OCFerrets /
President, Ferrets Anonymous
Website: http://www.ocferrets.org/
OCF Email: info@ocferrets.org
(949) 303-8481