You are reading CLIFFNotes!

The email newsletter of LegalizeFerrets.org View this email in your browser Vol 13 No 23, June 4th, 2017

<<First Name>> <<Last Name>> <<Custom1>> <<Custom2>> Scott Weiner Bursts Our Bubble - On to Different Plans I had a feeling something wasn't going right. No phone calls or emails returned from Senator Scott Weiner's office. We had asked him to meet with ferret owners in his district. So a call last Thursday got a simple "No" response from his scheduler. The tone wasn't very friendly such as "I'm sorry, wish we could, but..." It was a simple "No." As in go away you're bothering me.



Now no one have ill thoughts of Senator Weiner. He did reach out and call us. Wish him well and move on.



But, I think Fish and Game President Eric Sklar knew we would be unable to get a legislative sponsor when he told us Fish and Game couldn't legalize ferrets. I asked him to write a letter to that effect which would encourage a legislative sponsor. He took a week before saying "No." Getting used to that word.



I'm keeping our petition up a little bit longer. If you haven't signed it, please do so. Maybe one day soon Senator Weiner will return to the light side of the force. La Mesa - Ferret Sanctuary City How's that for a different angle? Here's the email I sent to my neighbor, and a La Mesa City Councilman. Hi Bill –



This is going to sound like a crazy idea but I’m going to ask your help anyway.



I’ve been working on ferret legalization since 1993. We have been through a lot of hoops. Most recently the President of the Fish and Game Commission told me they realize ferrets are domestic animals, he doesn’t care if people have them or not and he doesn’t believe in the current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. But he said, it would require a full blown EIR, we would be billed $250,000 at the onset. Then we should expect to pay $600,000 only to have everyone end up in court, we’d all be poorer and ferrets would still be illegal.



He said we need to find a legislator and that legislation would escape the CEQA clause.

We’ve been looking for a legislator since Schwarzenegger vetoed our bill in 2004. We rarely even get access to legislator’s office. Although we are currently trying to arrange a ferret town hall with Senator Scott Weiner.



So I’m asking you as a La Mesan, and I’m the one who walks the two dogs; corgi and golden retriever by your house – could we propose making La Mesa a sanctuary city for ferrets?



I have a ton of data, reports and experience on this subject.



While the issue would be symbolic it would perhaps shake things up at the Fish and Game Commission and maybe help us find a legislative sponsor.



I’d love to talk to you more about this.



Thank you,

Pat Wright LegalizeFerrets.org Bill hasn't responded to the email or a follow up phone call. But I'm pretty hard to ignore if I walk by your house every morning. If I don't hear by Tuesday I will drop off a packet to every city council member and the mayor. City hall is next to the post office where I pick up our mail. Ferret Calendar Photo Shoot - June 17th At Our Secret Location in La Mesa. Maybe my neighbor on the city council will come! Ferret photo shoot set for San Diego, tentatively June 17th. 2 to 5pm in our super-secret location in La Mesa. But Heidi will take a lot more submitted photos and here are her requirements: Send only your best quality photos.

Photos must be in focus.

Limit submissions to 3 per ferret (not per owner).

Rename generic file names with the ferret’s name(s): for example: “fuzzy.jpg" or "fuzzy-bandit-simon.jpg”.

Email photos to ferrets@hihodesign.com

The theme for 2018 is simply ferrets.



The 2017 theme, "Ferrets in the Movies" didn't work too well. Ferrets got such lousy parts!



If you are interested in coming please call or email me and I'll give you the secret location! Join the 3000 Club The Ferret Round Up Wrap Up We're Getting Older, We Need Fresh Blood!



The Ferret Round Up was held yesterday in Castro Valley. Next to talk about ferrets, our ever increasing aches and pains was the next most popular topic. We're getting older, why don't younger people come to meetings? This Ferret Round Up had a serious discussion - Should Ferrets Anonymous continue, should it be folded into LegalizeFerrets.org or should it be dissolved?



It was decided to go on for one more year. Donna H was elected Chair.



But we decided to try a Goto Meeting for anyone interested to discuss the future on Ferrets Anonymous on Wednesday, August 9th from 7 to 8 pm. Ilana F is in charge of this effort and we will have a super-organized and super efficient web meeting (because that is the kind of person Ilana is). Details to follow, we're all going to get a lesson in GoTo Meeting.

One of the presentations at the round up was on the poor ferret Possum. Dr Smith and Christine Smith went into great detail on the ferret rescue with a certain type of worm problem.



The Ferrety Madhatter is raising funds for his expenses. Click here



Another problem was on our minds. Reprinted with permission:



Our dear friend Charlie O'Kane's brother Spuddy is seriously ill and on his way for emergency vet care. Spuddy has one to two large tumors in his abdomen in danger of bursting. His mom is taking him to have an emergency ultrasound. So many times Charlie has donated to other ferrets in need. Charlie and his mom are very worried. If you are able to help Spuddy please send a few pennies to fuzzies8@yahoo.com for little Spuddy and his ultrasound. If not send Spuddy prayers and add friends to this message so we can get the word out that Spuddy needs our help ❤. Julie is very private so help keep this a secret ❤ In Conclusion Gees - there's a lot going on.



And I didn't even tell you we'll be talking to attorney's again. A lot of life in our fight!



I think we're going to have a lot of fun putting together the 2018 calendar and with the La Mesa City Council.



Amanda B is working on a legislative sponsor and got a bite! A Republican state senator ... I don't want to say much for fear of jinxing the deal. Let's see what happens. Thank you Amanda for your initiative.



Good thoughts for Possum and Spuddy.





Pat Wright

CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org

619-303-0645 Ferrets are so much fun. Here is Jethro waiting for ferret treats. And behind is Luna, like a seagull at a picnic, waiting for any left overs.



I'm down to three ferrets. The found ferret found a new home, much to my displeasure!