Sixteen ferrets confiscated from a man in Santa Ana will be moved to a rescue sanctuary operated by a group licensed to care for them.

On Wednesday, 23-year-old Sebastian Swisher was cited after Santa Ana animal control officers found the illegal animals in his home. Animal Services officials were working Thursday to transfer them to a rescue sanctuary.

Swisher was arrested and released on suspicion of importation, transportation and possession of live restricted animals, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department.

Orange County Animal Care officials said Thursday that the animals were headed to a sanctuary to be cared for by a group licensed with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“We’re trying to make the move happen as soon as possible,” said Jennifer Hawkins, director of the animal care agency. Hawkins would not elaborate about the group’s name or location but did say they likely would be moved out of state.

She did, however, confirm that the animals would not be euthanized.

“The only reason we would consider that is if they were at risk to public health or they were suffering.”

Hawkins said the 1-to-2-year-old “bright, playful” bunch were in good health.

The 10 males and six females were taken from Swisher’s home in the 3200 block of South Center Street.

Around 7 a.m. Wednesday, Santa Ana Animal Services received an anonymous tip that Swisher was raising ferrets brought in from Nevada that were being sold for up to $400 on Craigslist, Animal Services supervisor Sondra Berg said.

When officers arrived at the home they found 11 ferrets living in cages in two rooms. They appeared to be in good condition and had an ample supply of food and water, and toys, including a tiny hammock.

“I have to give him credit,” Berg said Wednesday. “He took really good care of them.”

Swisher, who was visibly angry, refused to cooperate with investigators.

“He never really told us exactly where he was getting them from,” Berg said.

The officers almost didn’t discover several more ferrets in one of the home’s rooms, until Swisher’s girlfriend opened the door in view of the officers.

Though illegal in California, the animals are popular pets because of their playful nature, Berg said.

“They’re very fun to have, and they make good pets,” she said.

Importation and possession of ferrets have been illegal in the state since 1933 for environmental concerns. Several bills to change the law failed to pass in the 1990s, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.