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You mentioned black-footed ferrets in the last issue of CLIFFNotes so I thought you might find this of interest. They are a species that is not well known, but is severely endangered.

click image to play video on YouTube

Coca-Cola Ferret Mascot

Part of the film takes place in a laboratory. The mascot/assistant in the lab is a cute little sable ferret. They sell small stuffed ferrets in the gift shop. Those have a Coca Cola hang tag, but don't wear the little Coke bandana. To get more information, you should probably contact World of Coca Cola in Atlanta.

I can't find any images or video of Fizz the ferret. The best I could do was this blurb on their website:

I wrap up my time here by watching a 3-D movie called In Search of the Secret Formula in which two "scientists," who have a ferret named Fizz, try to discover why Coke is such a success. Fizz's role in the movie is to basically make a mess of the lab; that part rings true for me. I've lived with Christopher and his ferrets before, so I know that if a ferret can get into and utterly destroy something, it is a happy ferret.

Ten Year Old Wants A Ferret

Hi my name is Mariah, I'm 10 years old and in fifth grade. I asked my dad if I could have a ferret, he told me they were not legal here, I was really bummed out! So I asked him why, then he found your website!!

Me and my friends want to help, I have organized my friends into groups such as researchers and more,we want to write letters to our state reps. and Governor, get petitions signed, and raise some money to support this cause.

My dad said to contact your organization to see how we can help.

What made me interested in ferrets is number one, I already have two cats and a dog. I've also seen ferrets, met ferrets, and played with ferrets. I have wanted one since I was four! They are cute, great pets and quite sneaky! I have looked up information on how to take care of them and unfortunately for me and every other ferret lover they are illegal here. The reason I've always wanted a ferret is I love their personality.
THANKS!

Thank you from Ferrets with Soul(e) Rescue/Shelter:

I want to thank everyone that came out and supported the shelter on the 19th of Sept. We had such an amazing turnout, it was far better than I hoped for. There was approx 60 people in attendance plus a lot of fuzzy kids in the play pens. We raised some much needed funds for the vet, melatonin implants, litter and misc items. If you would like to see some of the pictures, they are on my facebook page. To the people that helped at the frolic, I couldn't have done all of this without your help. Thanks Mel, Penny, Kate, Blythe, Chris, Tami, Larry, Greg, Gina, and Darlene. I hope I didn't forget anyone. For those that donated items, thank you so very much.

I hope next years open house/ferret frolic will be as successful and that everyone will have a better time than they did this year.

A special thank you to April from Performance Foods for attending and lending a hand wherever one was needed and for being my PA for 48 hours.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support.

Linda Soule

Ferrets With Soul(e) Rescue Shelter

Calendars Due This Week!

At long last (or at least it seems that way) the 2010 LegalizeFerrets.org Calendar is supposed to be delivered to our office by this Friday. I will try to fill all the orders and have them in Saturday's mail! Be on the lookout for yours! If you don't have one yet, what are you waiting for?

Two months from our calendar above and the last page of the calendar below

Our photographer, Jamie K has done a bang up job getting the calendar listed on Small Animal Channel (Product Spotlight) and Crafty Creatures (upper right hand corner of page.) It is also available on Amazon.com.

The calendar is important not only to help fund our Environmental Impact Report but to build awareness and membership in the 3000 Club - so well done!

If you haven't purchased your calendars yet - they are only $12 each (includes shipping). View the entire calendar here. You can purchase them here.

Quest For Ferrets

This is a slow week as we wait for the first report and bill for our Environmental Impact Report so I wanted to mention something else.

I plan to go to Las Vegas on Christmas to get a baby ferret.

Ferrets are higher in demand and shorter in supply over the holidays, but I have friends at Marshall Ferrets! They told me they use artificial lighting to fool the breeding ferrets that it is Spring to get a Christmas supply, but they only produce half the number of baby ferrets as during the Spring and Summer.

The real obstacle to getting another ferret is my partner Jim. I have heard "No more ferrets..." so many times. And yet, that will never happen.

House cleaning day, the ferrets, my Corgi and I take our time and get in lots of play. Technically, the ferrets aren't even allowed in this room.

My birthday is Dec 27th. Last year I turned 50. He thought my birthday was Dec 28th, so this year I'm making all the plans. Leave for Vegas on Christmas morning, pick up the critter on the 26th, and I'm having a party on Sunday the 27th (your're invited, details to follow).

One promise I make myself every time I go to the vets is next pet comes with pet insurance. A little research says that might not be a good idea.

I put the question on Joe Ferret's Facebook page and this is one of the responses:

Most of them are a waste of time and money. They don't cover anything common to animals. Its only helpful if your cat or dog gets run over or something at a young age. I had VPI for my ferrets and they covered 27 dollars of a 270 dollar ER bill. You're better off taking what you would spend on monthly premiums and putting it in a no risk CD (I think BofA has one) or savings account for future ER visits.

If anyone has a good experience regarding pet insurance with ferrets in California, please let me know.

To Buy or Adopt a Ferret?

I understand why Pat is looking for a baby ferret. I too once wanted to enjoy the full life cycle of a ferret, and I wear a tattoo of my baby girl Koko on my right arm. This is also the same ferret you see at the top of every issue of the Ferrets Anonymous Paw Print. - While I will never again buy a ferret, I had to do it - at least once for myself.

I spent today working a ferret education table for CDFEA and OCFerrets in Costa Mesa. Luckily, we had another pair of volunteers who took care of business yesterday. While there were no ferrets at this event because of their banned status, I saw plenty of other animals who need homes, and couldn't help but think of all of the ferrets that also need homes that we come into contact with each year. Just because there may not be an abundance of ferrets available right now, I can't stress enough how important it is for the vast majority of those looking to give a ferret a home to look to the ferrets that are already here in California that need homes.

If you've had ferrets for years, and absolutely MUST have a baby ferret (kit) then you must make the trek out of state and take your chances getting them to your home. If you have never had a ferret before, try no to be in such a rush to fill your home with ferrety goodness. Yes, its wonderful and I don't think I would want to live without wonderful weasels in my life. Still, there is time needed to do the research and make 100% sure that this is something you can commit to. -Not just for six months or a couple of years. -What if you get lucky and your ferret lives to a ripe old age of 8-10 years? Are you ready to provide for him for as long as he will live? First, please take the time to truly learn all you can about ferrets before you take the plunge into ferret ownership. Many people jump in both feet-first, only to find that the commitment is far more involved than they originally thought.

I'm positive that just about every person who ever got a ferret, that later gave them up for adoption - or required a rescue of a ferret in dire straits had every intention of originally providing a wonderful forever home. Somewhere along the way, things may not have worked out the way that they hoped that they would and then there's another ferret with a broken heart, and possibly a broken body that needs to be mended - to hopefully find another home that will last him forever.

Please reach out to those that deal with the needs of ferrets daily. - I'm sure you will find that with a little patience and a lot of learning, you'll discover if ferrets are truly meant for you and your family and all that is involved in making sure that your loving home & heart will be with your ferret for his whole lifetime.
Thanks for thinking of the not-so-little ones, that need homes too.
-LanceM.

Rosco Needs A Foster Home

Yet another jobless and homeless member needs help with their ferret. Rosco, above is a very dark five year old ferret. His owners are now living in a motor home in the Spring Valley/La Mesa area. I've had Rosco since Friday but I'm being told I can't foster him.

He is getting along with my two ferrets, Fausto and Quito. They have not had one spat though Rosco is lonely and sad.

I wish I could keep him until his owners get on their feet, but you-know-who said "no." So if you can give Rosco a good temporary home and lots of love, please call me. He loves to have his ears scratched.

In Conclusion

Like I said, not a lot going on but it is important to get CLIFFNotes out and let people know we are here.

It will be very exciting to get the first report from Sacramento State University regarding the EIR and a little scary to get the bill.

The Union Tribune's blogger had an article in this morning's newspaper about how the legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger ignore studies out of Sacramento State University if they don't like the results. Have no doubt, our EIR is not going to show any threat from ferrets - and we can't have it ignored once it is completed. That's when all the grassroots activism may be needed.

So keep your paws crossed, buy your calendars and join the 3000 Club if you haven't already done so and look forward to some real progress in the months ahead.

Pat Wright

CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org

619-303-0645

Lance M.
President, Ferrets Anonymous
(949) 303-8481
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LanceM_FA
Web: http//www.ferretsanonymous.org