The latest from LegalizeFerrets.org View this email in your browser Vol 10 No 46, November 15th, 2015

<<First Name>> <<Last Name>> <<Custom1>> <<Custom2>> With Disappointing Petition Numbers, time to think about plans B and C With only 5,232 petition signatures gathered and needing 91,470 to trigger a legislative hearing, now is a good time to think about asking, as opposed to earning a legislative hearing.



There are many ballot initiatives qualified to collect signatures and most are written off as having no possibility of success. We started out planning on getting only 1/4 of the way there in hopes of getting a hearing in the legislature.



So far, even people who have donated significant amounts of money to us have yet to return petitions. I didn't expect them to go out and get signatures from strangers but I am baffled why people wouldn't get a handful of signatures from family and friends. Our email list alone is 6,400 and yet we only have 5,000 signatures. Only 71 people have sent in signatures out of about 500 who signed up to do so.



The one variable that makes a difference in all these ballot measures is money. Who has enough financial clout to get their measures considered. Nobody, including us ever though we did.



But... We Have Heart



The one thing we do have going for us is we have heart. We are volunteers. There is no corporate money in this. Everyone knows this. Only ballot measures with corporate or millionaire sponsors are succeeding. That's not quite right.



In the next few weeks let's format an appeal to the legislative committees to give ferret legalization a hearing. Ferrets never have had such. Their banning was a matter of being lumped in with wild animals. They aren't wild - everyone knows and admits that. Why are they on a list of wild and prohibited animals?



Oh I know! I know! I just happened to find a 2012 email on the subject: My name is Anton Favorini-Csorba and I'm the analyst with the Legislative Analyst’s Office with responsibility over the wildlife policy area. We received an inquiry from you on the Fish and Game Commission's authority to regulate domestic animals, specifically as it pertains to ferrets.



In general, the Commission and the Department of Fish and Game have relatively broad authority to regulate the importing and possession of non-native species, and so that extends to ferrets. Regarding your specific question about domestic animals, it's my understanding that currently ferrets are considered wild animals under state law. Fish and Game Code section 2118(b) lists animals of the families Viverridae and Mustelidae as restricted, and I believe ferrets fall into the latter. Furthermore, the Commission is the body that determines whether an animal is wild or not because the Commission is charged with determining whether an animal is "normally domesticated in this state," (FGC section 2116). So that would indicate to me that the Legislature has declared its intent on the Commission's authority. And Don't Forget Plan C

Ferrets Anonymous President Corey N has already submitted paperwork to the Fish and Game Commission per their new policy of seeking policy changes. It will be very interesting if they follow their own rules, which in the past they have ignored their own procedures when dealing with us.



Here's what Corey is dealing with.



He says he is waiting for results. I know the feeling. Putting it All Together Puleez! keep those petitions coming. Because no body is getting paid for this it is a labor from the heart! Each signature makes our appeal to the legislature more compelling, but we are dealing with a very tough group here!



Download petitions here



We need to compile the factual information in a convincing and easily understood (not to insult anyone's intelligence but who wants to read a long document - we want summaries!) report why ferret legalization needs to be considered.



And we need a social media campaign - ferrets deserve a hearing! Stay tuned and any ideas on the subject will be greatly appreciated.

Our Amazon Affiliates Keep on Petitioning - It Does Work! In one regard the petitioning efforts have been successful in building up our numbers. We will have more people and resources when we try once again to get traction in front of the California legislature - and even the California Fish and Game Commission.



As I keep saying, every signature helps!



I know it isn't a lot of fun to petition in front of PetSmart. I was fairly dreading dealing with the managers at the Pacific Beach (San Diego) grand opening on Saturday. I did scoop in and get most of the people waiting in line to sign. Then I asked the manager if I could set up my table outside the store. To my surprise he said yes, then after it was set up, they said no.



I told them petitioners have a right to be outside the store and I was right be the door, because it was the only shady spot. Finally, they came out and wished me luck. I heard from one of the vendors people were asking "why are ferrets illegal?" In 3 hours I got 72 signatures.



But I wish I had a table and could give out literature, sell calendars, take time to talk to people, etc. But I'll take 72 signatures.



I had one conversation which bothered me. One man said he works at the research department at UCSD and they have 175 ferrets for research and they are nasty and stink. I'm sure 175 unsocialized ferrets are nasty and do stink. He wouldn't sign the petition and thinking of 175 research ferrets really bothers me.



I find it easier to petition 3 hours every weekend, try to get 100 signatures and if no one wishes to help me, oh well. I don't have a location for next week, but I'd like to make a three day effort the weekend after Thanksgiving at the PetSmart and Walmart at Murphy Canyon (San Diego) Who can help? Don't Forget - Its Calendar Time!