-- Don't Forget --
LegalizeFerrets Revival
September 25
Concord, CA
Details Here
Readers' Column
My family and I decided to travel to Seattle, Washington by car for a family vacation. Our whole trip we never stopped at a pet store until on our way home. We found a Petco in Roseburg, Oregon. I just had to go see real live ferrets being sold in an actual pet store.
They had about seven ferrets. Three of them were rather large and looked to me to be about three years old. They were so excited to see people and you could tell that they wanted out. My husband , not thinking put his finger in the hole that is used to lift the top up and got bitten by one of the white ones.
When I asked the cashier about them she responded, "Yeah, those ones are my older ones, but we have younger ones too. Did you see the younger ones?" She never verified how old they were. I couldn't help but think, "How old are they? How long have they been there? Do they hold them, play with them and let them out?"
It was very sad and disheartening. It also concerned me that somehow that type of lack of care for ferrets in a state where they are legal could somehow be a negative in our fight for legalization.
Just wanted to share.
Cindi M.
Hi Cindi - I don't think that anyone reading this would disagree with you.
Biting Problem
Hello,
My name is Annie and I have two ferrets. Both are a year old. One of them bites randomly. We have tried many ways to stop him from biting, including scruffing, hissing while scruffing, time out spray, time outs, etc. These techniques work for an hour but he then continues to bite. He also refuses to use the litter box, he goes right in front of the litter pan. I am hoping someone can help us out with any information that might be helpful in stopping this behavior. Our other ferret, (they're brothers) is perfectly sweet, never biting and always goes in his litterbox, so we are confused on how these two have very different attitudes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
Annie S.
I think I jinxed things when I wrote last week that we never hear about biting ferrets. Marshall Ferrets was kind enough to send over answer:
This consumer truly loves her pet.
That is why she is trying to find some answers and is looking for help. She just wants some peace in the house. We called the consumer below and we spent some time discussing personality and possible health issues that could be at the root of this issue. It is very difficult to assist someone when you are answering a question based on so little information.
We wanted to rule out tooth issues, chronic pain or possible behavior that is learned over time that needs to be corrected. The consumer did take this ferret to the vet and the vet couldn't find any visual health problems.
There is always a reason why an animal bites, either in play or fear.
We tried to figure out what would be the cause of this.
This ferret is targeting certain people to bite.
Ferrets are very sensitive to lotions, creams and food that still may be on hands which could trigger a pet to nip.
Always wash your hands prior to handling your pet. This will clean off any scents and is just a good sanitizing practice to stop the spread of germs and viruses.
In the past we have found that limited out of cage time and limited access to food/water could be the problem. This ferret seems to be getting enough play time and food and water, so that isn’t an issue.
Ferrets that bite or chew on the cage could be looking for a way out and this ferret does do this at times.
This consumer is so sweet and kind, she truly wants to change his behavior.
We decided to go back to how we would treat a kit that is biting and see if that changes the behavior.
We also mentioned that this ferret shouldn't be trusted with children at this point. We certainly don't want a child to get injured. This ferret is displaying very dominant aggression.
Deaf ferrets can be aggressive - the consumer assured us that the ferret isn't deaf.
The ferret seems very skittish.... we decided to try trust techniques for this ferret, for starters she will scruff the ferret and talk very kind and gentle to him to try to stop this behavior. We think there really isn't a quick fix.
This is an older ferret and it will take time to turn it around.
UPDATE: Spoke with the consumer today she tried our suggestions above and she has had a positive outcome.
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Join the "3000 Club and get
$ 30.00 off.
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EIR Research is Done - and the bill is here!
Dr Geo Graening at Sacramento State University has submitted to us the fourth and final report on the Ferret Survey of North American Governmental Agencies Research Project.
Just as we expected - no feral ferrets or any interactions with wildlife or agriculture. You can read it here.
We are still waiting for the Final Report. Dr. Graening is putting together the final report which will include the literature review. That is what we really want! Perhaps this is our ticket to ferret legalization. It should be here shortly.
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| We now begin this process. The full flowchart is here Actually, it isn't as bad as it looks. |
The next step is for Dr. Graening to present this to the Executive Director of the California Fish and Game Commission where they will initiate the Environmental Impact Report. they file a notice of preparation.
We also need to worry about DFG not taking any action or accepting a bid that is way too much in terms of work needed and cost - because we have to pay for it!
Right now we still owe $889.66 for the fourth quarter. Marshall Ferrets is paying $1,600.00 (Hey Marshall Ferrets - I just bought a $25 bag of Marshall Diet ferret food) but other expenses are piling up.
So Here Comes the Request for Donations:
Any amount is appreciated - $5 or $10 would help if enough people can respond. - Thank you!
 Your Donations at Work
We spenT $99 to send out a press release and a couple hundred dollars for copy writing help. So far we have one newspaper article to show for it.
The Sacramento News and Review ran this story. We are building up our own media list and getting ready to send out a media kit.
The San Bernardino Sun also called and is planning an article - so not a bad investment.
In talking to media people I get the impression they feel it is time to do another ferret story. That's something - but we want to go to the next step. We want more than ferret people are trying again to legalize - the San Francisco Chronicle compared us to Cubs Fans.
We want stories like "those ferret people have their act together" and editorials that say "Yes - it is past time ferrets were legal."
Candidate Surveys Almost Ready to Go
We have about 300 Candidate surveys that need to go into the mail. We are asking every candidate for state assembly, state senate and governor to support ferret legalization in 2011 if they are elected or re-elected. We may need a legislative sponsor, in addition to the Environmental Impact report.
Our graphic artist did wonderful work but I was a bit shocked at the price of color copies. So they are being printed in Florida and will be here Thursday. I would like to get all kits assembled and mailed on Friday. If you are in the La Mesa area and
We are spending about $1000 to produce and mail these out. I also want to send out another $99 press release to help build support. All responses, and lack of responses will be posted on our website.
 Web Site Changes About 50% Done
We've also spent $360 so far to update the website. There is some programming work that makes it a little more difficult and requires someone with some programming experience. To be an honest - it has been a little painful losing some features and broken links. But the look and feel we want is almost there.
The website takes on increased importance as the EIR heats up our efforts.
So go ahead and try out the new website. Not a member of the 3000 Club - try it out here.
Have friends that may wish more info - let them subscribe to this newsletter - send them this link.
And if you have any problems - please let me know.
CDFEA Fun Ride - Save the Date!
The CDFEA Ferret Fun Ride is coming up September 18, 2010.
Registration begins at 9:30 am at Tom’s Farms Restaurant, 23900 Temescal Canyon Rd., Corona, CA. Kickstands up (that's when riders leave) at 11:00 am!
Registration Fee $25.00 per rider/$10.00 per passenger –lunch is included.
Non-Riders are also welcome!
The ride will end at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon. Non-Riders can show up at Cook's Corner at noon for the festivities, but you should be there early to welcome the riders and get your own registration handled as soon as possible.
Come join us for a fun ride and help CDFEA’s animal welfare and education efforts. Donations are tax deductible. Poker Run
Contact:
949/241-1189 or 559/805-5962
Ride Raffle Fun, Fun, Fun Run!
We hope to see you there!
OCFerrets Needs Your Help!
OCFerrets is currently in dire need of foster homes for ferrets!
That said, forever homes are also desperately needed. There is truly no more room at the inn, and some of our foster families have been unable to continue fostering. This puts OCFerrets in a position where no more animals can be helped if there is limited space available. If you are interested in helping a very active ferret club, right in the heart of Orange County - please contact Dawn M. at OCFerrets@yahoo.com.
We could sure use the help, and will be able to continue to help ferrets in need! All forever homes will undergo a home inspection. Please email for more information.
Ferrets Currently in need of forever homes:
- Two bonded males, both under a year & a half old. Vetted & vaccinated.
- Single female 2-3 years old. Vetted & vaccinated.
- Single male less than one year old, special needs-facial deformity. Vetted & vaccinated.
Ferret-sitters also needed! OCF provides
Free Ferret Cage Available
We would like to give away Slinky's (ferret who passed away) 4-story condo, hammocks, toys, treats, food, etc., and the largest dig box of pellets from Drs. Foster & Smith, to anyone who is interested. We live near the San Francisco International Airport, so if anyone is interested in this free offer, please email me at barbara.vas@sbcglobal.net to make arrangements for pickup.
In Conclusion
CLIFFNotes is a bit late today and I had to do it in a hurry. I like to take my time when I do it - but it was a full week and today was a great day to take the dogs to the beach. They loved it! I think they were still talking about it when we got home, gave them all baths and washed the car.
For some of us life just isn't complete without animals. How great it would be to take the ferrets out. Ferrets are very social animals and would love a little time out in the world.
There are a lot of animal lovers out there. I'd like to thank Wysong from their recent $400 donation. They got us started on an affiliate program which brings us much needed funds. Their ads are on the bottom of this email. We get a nice percentage of those sales - I'm showing $2,788.98 from them so far. We wouldn't get getting off the ground without their help.
Also, thanks to Kat Richardson - from last week's CLIFFNotes:
The event is on Monday from noon to 2 pm.
Kat Richardson Doing Book Signing
- Proceeds to Benefit Ferret Legalization
Roc, $24.95
A benefit for California Ferret Legalization!
Private investigator Harper Blaine is a "Greywalker," someone who lives in the realm between life and death. In this, her fifth adventure, she's back on the trail of the man – alive or dead – who killed her for two minutes, making her a Greywalker. Harper's father is missing, and she's convinced that her attacker knows the truth behind this as well. Harper's constant companion is her ferret, Chaos; Richardson, a ferret owner herself, has pledged all her royalties from this signing to the movement to legalize ferrets as pets in California. For more information about this cause, visit http://www.legalizeferrets.org/.
Please contact [the book store, not legalizeferrets.org] us directly to purchase this title. You may email orders@mystery-bookstore.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone us on our toll–free number, (800) 821-9017.
August 09 2010 12:00 PM and 02:00 PM
LA: Mystery Bookstore Signing, 1036 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024-2824 Tel: (310) 209-0415.
Signing and speaking to benefit California Ferret Legalization.
Kat will donate the royalties from every one of her
books sold at the Mystery Bookstore.
A Bit About the "Governator"
There has been some talk about our Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Proposition 8. If he would urge the courts to allow same sex marriage before this goes through all the appeals - undoubtedly to the US Supreme Court, would he feel any less towards our right to own ferrets? Who knows? but we're sure going to ask.
I always get the impression he'd like us to go away. I held up a big "Legalize Ferrets" poster in front of him years ago and he looked kind of embarrassed an annoyed. He knows ferrets and he knows what the Department of Fish &Game has said about them is absurd. So why did he really veto a ferret amnesty bill in 2004?
We will send him a copy of Geo's report with an appeal. If anyone has an inside with the Governor, please let me know. Otherwise I think I will ask my assemblyman, Joel Anderson to present the governor with the appeal.
So thank you all!
Pat Wright
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