Candidate Survey - Results Are Trickling In
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| Our goal is to have the 2011 Calendar ready in time for the September 25th Legalize Ferrets Revival. Based on comments posted on our Facebook page I think we will sell a lot of them. I am so grateful we have a graphic artist who brings it to life! |
Don't Forget the Legalize Ferrets Revival - September 25th in Concord, CA. Prices go up for reservations received after Sept 10, 2010.
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The last of the surveys to people running for Governor, State Assembly and State Senate were put into Monday's (August 16) mail. A few responses have trickled in and what we are seeing so far is that Republicans in strong Democratic districts are willing to commit.
It is very much appreciated, and we hope to see support from candidates more likely to win in November as well. A very big thank you to these candidates who took the time to respond (and all so far who have responded are in support of ferret legalization):
Check out the current listing here
Why no Democrats?
I heard from a previous candidate survey (we've done this before) that Democratic candidates were instructed not to commit themselves on any specific issue. While this is certainly logical; suppose there was some piece of knowledge we left out? We don't expect candidates to be experts on our issue. But we want and deserve some sort of an acknowledgment.
The very least a candidate should tell us is something to the effect of based on the information we have provided, they will examine the issue closely and if no contrary evidence is presented - they would be likely to support ferret legalization.
But if a candidate won't even acknowledge our questionnaire, they are indeed unworthy of our votes.
What about Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown
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We sent the survey to the candidates running for Governor by certified mail. I hope either or both candidates will acknowledge us. If not, we will make an announcement at the September 25th Legalize Ferrets Revival that people should write in Joe Ferret for Governor.
Ideally, we don't want that to happen. Throwing your vote away is not something that would be helpful to the election process, or to ferret legalization. We want candidates and later office holders to acknowledge our request and take it seriously. So please - ask either Jerry Brown, Meg Whitman or both to respond to our survey - we know they have received the survey.
Please ask either or both candidates to answer our survey. Please send at least a quick email. Please remember to keep your tone positive, to show them that California ferret owners are responsible people and we vote! - Please let us know if you receive any response.
Do We Even Need a Legislator?
Early in the year, we asked former Senator Dede Alpert if Governor Schwarzenegger could legalize ferrets if he wanted to. Senator Alpert referred us to a former staffer, Nora Lynn who responded:
"Apparently, this is not something the governor could do administratively or direct the Fish & Game Commission to do. Since the prohibition is in statute, a bill would need to be run to amend it. This was according to the chief consultant of the Senate Natural Resources Committee."
Nora Lynn - February 25th, 2010
This didn't sound right and we were never convinced this was the true. So we sent a certified letter to John Carlson, the Executive Director of the California Fish and Game Commission asking if this were true. Mr. Carlson never responded to our letter. (Burns me up that my own state government won't answer a certified letter but I can get an email response from the government of the Shetland Islands in 24 hours.)
Last week I received an email from Jeanne Carley who said this regarding who can legalize ferrets;
"I am positive that the Fish and Game Commission can do it. "
So an exchange of emails to with Nora Lynn produced this conclusion (from Nora Lynn):
"... If you are going to do the EIR for the Commission (and governor) why do you need a bill as well? The only reason for a bill IMO would be if the EIR expense is so high as to make it completely unattainable and the initial study so positive that is would seem preposterous to continue the ban. In that case, I think going the legislative route might make sense with the positive initial report in hand."
Yes We Do Need Want a Legislator - DFG Might Play Games
I don't think DFG or the powers-that-be have been exactly straight with us and I don't necessarily trust them. If the DFG won't do the EIR or puts in some other obstacle in our way, then we will need a legislative effort. The legislation will be easier because we have fulfilled the requirements of the EIR study, legislators should be more sympathetic to our cause and may take it more seriously due to the scientific proof provided by the EIR. In short, let's not leave anything to chance in 2011. I think two separate paths - the Environmental Impact Report and proposed legislation would be the best approach to becoming successful in our struggle.
Why is Ferret Legalization Like the Da Vinci Code?
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| I'd love to see a mock up of this with the ferret peeping through |
Every once in a while I get this email from different people.
"Recently I was in Nevada and talked with a DFG officer who says he doesn't think legalization will ever happen. He also said ferrets probably wouldn't live more than a week if left out in the wild. So they know this, yet they still want them illegal. Wouldn't the DFG spend less money in their budget having to deal with an illegal ferret and transporting them out of state? Seem like they would save money not having to deal with ferrets."
The email is always the same... someone in DFG says "ferrets will never be legal." Makes me wonder if there is some grand conspiracy going on.
OCFerrets Defends Itself
This month has been a particularly trying one for OCFerrets. Besides many ferrets needing help throughout the county and beyond this year, it was recently was brought to OCF's attention that people were posing as our organization, and selling ferrets on Craigslist as a legal ferret rescue. OCFerrets never sells ferrets and does not conduct themselves in this manner. OCFerrets does not possess a valid shelter & rescue permit, and the only way to legally rescue ferrets is by following the following procedures:
1. Possessing a valid rescue & shelter permit from the California DFG.
2. Pit tagging (microchip implantation).
3. Properly transporting to a ferret shelter in a ferret-legal state.
4. Logging and cataloging all rescue and transportation work.
5. Annual reporting of all activities to the DFG.
Currently, CDFEA is the only known organization in the state of California to hold a valid shelter & rescue permit. CDFEA uses the permit to properly take ferrets out of harm's way when seized by state and county authorities throughout the state of California. Ferrets that are seized are rescued, microchipped and sent out of state per the terms of the law. CDFEA is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, and is in dire need financial support. If you would like to make a donation, please visit http://www.ferreted.org/ for more information.
Luckily, OCFerrets was able to shut down the persons using our good name in an illegal fashion. Sadly, this is not the first time that someone has done this, and may not be the last. Ferrets' welfare and educating the public about ferrets is OCFerrets' primary goal. If you live in Orange County, and love ferrets - please consider working with OCF. There is support available for you by calling (949) 241-1189.
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6th ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE AND FERRET FROLIC
DATE: SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2010
TIME: 12:00 – 4:00PM
PLUS 5:00 – 8:00 PM AFTER FROLIC PARTY
PLACE: 977 PLEASANTVIEW CT
GARDNERVILLE, NV 89460 --- 775-265-6744
Admission: $1 per person/per ferret additional charge for after frolic party
Raffles, Silent Auctions, Live Auctions, Bake Sale, & Items for Sale.
Hamburger and Hot Dog lunches are available
FERRET GAMES: Ferrets wanting to play the games there is a $1 donation per ferret for each game, with exception of the tube race. You purchase the tube + $1 and you take the tube home. This year there will be people games too!
Dr. Cameron Ross from Carson Valley Vet Hospital will be here to answer questions that you might have and April from Performance Foods (Totally ferret) will be here with all sorts of goodies.
Ferret gift exchange: Bring a gift for a ferret, no more than $20 and take a gift home to your ferrets. Please wrap items…ferrets love surprises.
You Be the Judge: Submit up to 5 photos and attendees are the judges
Costume Contest: Dress up your ferret and attendees will be the judges
Items needed for the shelter: HE laundry soap, regular bleach, paper towels, 30 gal trash bags, TF, Marshall,s, 8 in 1 Ultimate, Zupreme, Evo foods, children’s sleeping bags, gift certificates from Costco, Target, Ferret Depot, Ferret.com, Drs Fosters and Smith, and monetary donations for the vet bill for care of the ferrets.
Ferret Lovers from CA; please don’t bring your ferrets. Rent a shelter ferret for $20. Includes all games, except tube race.
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In Conclusion
Gees - there's a lot going on!
I have to admit I'm excited and nervous for what lies right in front of us.
Will the California Fish and Game Commission deal with us honestly now that we are ready to file the EIR? Actually they do the EIR, they will file a notice of preparation and accept bids so anyone can bid on the project. Or will be screwed again?
Finances are a major concern. People have been more than generous but everything is coming due right about now:
  Go Ahead And Contribute
Help My Anxiety Level
Thank you to those who have, and if you aren't able to do so I understand and there are other non-financial ways to help!
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The 4th Qtr EIR
Video Project
Legalize Ferrets Revival
2011 Calendar
Candidate Survey
We've taken in $3400 in contributions so far this month. I'm showing $2400 in the bank but $2800 still owing for the EIR. Obviously we are still needing some help here.
The excitement part is that we are finally making progress. Actually finishing the EIR Research is a huge achievement. Building an online community of nearly 6,000 subscribers is terrific. Now for the public push. The video we are producing will help bring some excitement to our cause. I hope to have a lot more information about that in next week's CLIFFNotes. The response to the 2011 calendar was fantastic. I think we can do this - but in the meantime I'm sweating!
Pat Wright
Bonnie Tormohlen
Director/CA Domestic Ferret Educational Alliance
Director/Northern Arizona Ferret Alliance & Rescue, Inc
click on image below to get your free Wysong samples!
