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The email newsletter of LegalizeFerrets.org View this email in your browser Vol 13 No 13, March 19th, 2017

<<First Name>> <<Last Name>> <<Custom1>> <<Custom2>> Getting Ready for Fish and Game Fish and Game will consider our petition asking them to issue permits for ferrets at their April 26-27, 2017 meeting at Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Ave in Van Nuys, We don't know which day they will hear our petition but I'll ask them this week. 2118. It is unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit as provided in this chapter and the regulations pertaining thereto, any wild animal of the following species:… all members of the Mustelidae family…ferrets! Based on objections staff wrote to our request to remove ferrets from the prohibited species list, these are their objections followed by our responses. Pretty ironclad, isn't it? #1 Staff recommends denying the petition. Given that the proposed action would effectively eliminate the Commission’s authority to regulate ferrets,…



By issuing permits, the Fish and Game Commission retains jurisdiction.

Ferrets are the only domesticated animal on the prohibited species list, classified as a wild animal simply for being a member of the Mustelidae family #2 Regarding potential impacts to wildlife populations, the report finds that while the establishment of feral colonies is improbable, there is a possibility that escaped ferrets might do significant damage to wildlife…



But we have letters on file from all 50 states “Are there any instances of domesticated ferrets killing or harassing wildlife in your state?”

Everyone answered “No” or “Don’t know”

Not one “Yes” ! Update on Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee List

Yeah, they're ignoring us.



I finished calling everyone the second time around on Friday and no one called me back. Check out the results here.



I had two nice conversations, first with Vance Jarrard of Assemblyman Steve Choi's office. He listened to my spiel - ferrets are legal in 48 states, no feral ferret populations, could we get a letter of support from Assemblyman Choi? He seemed pleasant and would ask.



Madeleine Cooper of Assemblyman Matthew Harper's office said she would ask and try to get back to me on Friday but I haven't heard.



Time to start asking publicly on Twitter. That usually gets a response. And next week I'll publish their phone numbers to make it easy for everyone to call.



Thank to those of you who emailed all the members. I could tell I got a little more courtesy because other people had already asked. Friday afternoons I am a memory unit helping my mom. It is hard to take phone calls. But I didn't have to worry, no body called me back. Please make your voice heard. Email or call each assemblymember and remind them - we're asking for your support! Next Ferret Round Up

Finally we have plans. If anyone has suggestions for speakers or programs please let me know and I'll pass it on to the organizers. Mark your calendars! More details to come!



June 3rd Castro valley Moose lodge. 20835 Rutledge road. Castro valley ca 94546. Set up at 10:00 start at 11am till 4pm.

Don't forget to sign our current Change.org petition.



Past petitions have allowed people to opt in to receive emails from us but for some reason this one doesn't. And we have grown out email list by thousands. I usually buy Facebook ads but since we're not getting email signs ups I'm not advertising.



But perhaps I'll put out a meme. Odd that these people are so concerned about their right to own guns and hunt, but they don't give a hoot about our right to own a domestic pet of our choice.



Sign the petition if you haven't already! Join the 3000 Club In Conclusion It will be very interesting to see if the Fish and Game Commission will consider issuing permits for ferrets at their April meeting. By engaging with us they've kind of got themselves in a corner.



Previously the Fish and Game Commission ignored us. Even when we followed instructions they would ignore us. Then they would say "you never submitted an EIR, or CEQA" - I have it on video tape being presented multiple times.



So now they gave us their objections; they'd lose jurisdiction and ferrets could pose a threat to ground nesting birds. Could there be easier objections to overcome?



Heidi (our graphic artist) is putting our presentation together and everything should be ready to present to the staff shortly. The staff holds all the power at this point.



If things go south... I'll contact Senator Scott Weiner and ask for a meeting. And if things still don't work out, we'll be petitioning again. And we're in much better shape for our second round of petition than our first, but still a herculean task.



Thank goodness we are a growing organization and it seems most people really are familiar with ferrets and think the ban is just plain ridiculous.



Pat Wright

CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org

619-303-0645 I'll be there. I have a lot of literature and bumper stickers. Who wants to help?