The latest from LegalizeFerrets.org View this email in your browser Vol 12 No 28, July 10th 2016

<<First Name>> <<Last Name>> <<Custom1>> <<Custom2>> Fish and Game Sub Committee Looks Promising to Refer Ferret Legalization to the Full Committee Once again, I'm feeling optimistic about our chances for ferret legalization in front of the Fish and Game Commission.



On or around August 4th the Fish and Game Commission will publish their agenda for the August 24th and 25th meeting. Keep your paws crossed that staff will make a recommendation to the Commissioners to grant further consideration for our petition for regulation change.



One key person in this decision is Erin Chappell, their Wildlife Advisor. I'm optimistic for two reasons. Number 1, they're considering it! Secondly, I think her letter to us, or me - is quite pleasant.



The old Commission gave us a lot of baloney and when it came down to it they would say "we don't have time for this." Door closed. Now the door is open..Big Smile :-) Dear Pat,



I am the Wildlife Advisor for the Commission. In that role I provide guidance and recommendations to the Commission on wildlife policy and management issues, including, in this case, ferrets.



Regarding the August meeting, Commission action (deny or grant further consideration) on your petition will occur on Thursday, August 25th under the agenda item titled Non-marine petitions for regulation change and non-regulatory requests from previous meetings. You, and the others, are welcome to speak in support of your petition under public forum for that agenda item. Generally members of the public are granted 3 minutes to speak. However, we are anticipating a large number of speakers under that agenda item due to another petition on striped and black bass. If that turns out to be the case speaking time may get reduced to one minute.



For you, as the petitioner, one option to consider is to make a formal request for additional time to speak (up to 10 minutes). This option has been used by other petitioners in the past. That request needs to be made in advance and the decision on whether to allow is made by the Commission President. If you would like to do that, I recommend submitting an email request to Commissioner Sklar by early August through our FGC email account (fgc@fgc.ca.gov). If the others do not wish to speak at the meeting they can send a letter of support for your petition to the Commission by August 11th, either by regular mail or email (fgc@fgc.ca.gov).



I have the report you submitted as supporting documentation. You may send additional materials for consideration as well. Please let me know if you have any other questions.



Sincerely,

Erin



Erin Chappell, Wildlife Advisor

California Fish and Game Commission

1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1320 Sacramento, CA 95814 So Plan on Being There!



Thursday, August 25th



Lake Natoma Inn Hotel & Conference Center

702 Gold Lake Dr.

Folsom, CA 95630



I think we will be allowed to speak in the afternoon but I will confirm that. My goal is a short presentation on why lifting the ferret ban will make life easier for the Fish and Game people. That won't be hard. More details to follow! Calendar Preview is Here!!! We still don't have the front and back covers. But all you proofers out there -and anyone else who want to see the project so far, please click here.



We need to have the calendar to the printer in about a month so it can go on sale September 1st. We're on schedule! The Ferret PAC is open for business, but no responses so far. I thought it would be fun, cutting edge and economical to do it all on Twitter. So we're trying to find candidate twitter accounts and sending them this tweet:



CA ferret lovers have formed a PAC and would like to know if you will #talk2us. Please let us know at http://www.ferretpac.org/for-candidates/



I'm about 1/3rd of the way through state senate candidates. No responses yet. I'm sure we'll have better luck in the state assembly.



Check it out here