California Ferrets are illegal in California except by special permit issued by the Dept. Ferrets — Illegal to Own, But What About Veterinary Treatment? All species are restricted from possession as pets in California primarily because they can become pests where introduced into the wild where they don’t naturally occur. Some animals are banned as pets because they aren’t meant to be domesticated, others are dangerous to California’s ecosystem. The United States Department of Agriculture classifies ferrets as domestic animals. California is one of two states in the nation that prohibits possessing a ferret. In the minds of policymakers, all ferret organizations are connected. But a few states (and countries) are slow to accept that ferrets are domestic animals. Funny thing is, there’s an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 ferrets in California, though illegal to own there, the state has the highest population of domesticated ferrets. if they are illegal, are there any STORES that sell them? Large Constrictor Snakes. California has very strict laws about what types of animals homeowners can keep as pets. Ferrets are also believed to be roaming and killing more chicken than that are necessary for its consumption. In the United States, ferrets are illegal in California and Hawaii, and in New York City, New York. We have asked the Commission to stop referring to them as wild animals without success. Two states that prohibit ferrets as pets are California and Hawaii. February 2003. Ferrets are illegal as pets in California. Ferrets are considered to be illegal as they may breed in the wild, and pose a threat to agriculture and native species. Ferrets have been illegal in California for much too long for too many idiotic reasons. kaylee04caplinger I would like to buy 2 ferrets preferably but 1 will be okay i can pay up to 350 with a ca.. The critters are legal as pets in … Ferrets are the sweetest, cuddliest, kindest little critters and are no harm to the environment more than cats or dogs. 1. Pat Wright said the law … However, there are only a few exotic pets legal in California. Ferrets Should be Legal in California. It is feared that ferrets will be turned loose and form their own colonies detrimental to the native population of certain animals. Pat Wright, who was behind this initiative effort, said that his group was unable to collect enough signatures to put this initiative on the ballot. Call ferrets the “forbidden fruit” of pet ownership. In California, ferrets are illegal. Ferret, California » Los Angeles Buying ferrets 2 with or without cage!!! Posted by Richard on April 24, 2002. Many countries including, California, have a strict ban on keeping ferrets as pets. FRESNO, Calif. – Ferrets are making criminals out of their owners in California, where keeping the furry animals as pets is against the law. Their fur is typically brown, black, white, or mixed. Ferrets are legal as pets almost everywhere. Some previous very good answers have been given hut I notice one that has been left out. From www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/species/nuis_exo/ferret/:“In California, domestic ferrets are legal to import, transport, or possess only by permit. At the end of 2018, California officially tightened up lax laws around what pet stores can and cannot sell. So you know if you can own a ferret where you reside, you should get in touch with your wildlife and game department to obtain a current copy of the ordinances. if they are legal, thank you. California Pet Stores May Only Sell Rescues. Ferrets are illegal in California because the California Department of Fish and Game claims that if ferrets are let out into the wild, they would mate, multiply, become feral and could threaten native wildlife. of Fish and Game. There is no State law on owning ferrets but please check County/City laws. The measure, upon voter approval, was designed to legalize the ownership of ferrets in California. Strangely enough, parrots are legal pets. Despite volumes of convincing evidence that ferrets are not the menace that California suggests, lawmakers still have not budged from their position based on erroneous facts and figures. ireally want a pet ferret, ever since i was ten. Are Ferrets Illegal in California? CALIFORNIA– In California, you can’t sell, import, transport or keep a ferret as a pet unless you have the permit from California Department of Fish and Game (means they are still treated as exotic/wild animals) California state says that ferrets can carry rabies. Ferrets are Domestic Domestic animals are legal per our state constitution. There are also many unknown questions related to natural predators and potential diseases when any … The California Natural Resources Agency, which includes the Department of Fish and Wildlife, bans a variety of exotic pets, one of them being ferrets. Why ferrets are illegal in California The main reason why ferrets are illegal in California is to Protect Agriculture and Wildlife. The ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is the domesticated form of the European polecat, a mammal belonging to the same genus as the weasel, Mustela, in the family Mustelidae. In the state of California, strict laws govern pet ownership. They keep pumping money as long as the California Department of Fish and Game keeps the possession of ferrets illegal in California. Ferrets are illegal to own as pets in both California and Hawaii. Here are 10 California pet laws you need to know. The cause behind the ban which the government mentions is that they are a potent source of many diseases like rabies and also they are not native to California, therefore, they can have adverse effects on the ecosystem and the natural wildlife of California. In some places, you will be required to get a license. Veterinary Care of Domestic Ferrets. Since they aren’t fully domesticated animals there isn… The Fish and Game Commission gets around that by mis-classifying ferrets as wild, or by saying they have not been determined to be domestic in the state of California. Domestic Ferrets. The above … Ferrets are such a small movement in Sacramento. Everywhere else, except Hawaii, you can lead your ferret down the street on a leash and not worry about cops, just dogs. It is also believed that ferrets are a … Ferrets and other wildlife, including sugar gliders and hedgehogs, are still illegal to import, transport, or possess in California without a … Decriminalization and legalization are similar enough; both would allow some legal path to ownership, that it is extremely difficult to separate the two organizations. Some of the largest snakes in the world that possess the capacity to kill … I just find it amazing that they can put so much effort into worrying about what is basically a harmless animal. It's considered a misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine or 6 months in jail. A California Ferret Legalization Initiative (15-0034) did not make the November 8, 2016 ballot in California as an initiated state statute.. Culver City Woman Trying To Make Ferrets Legal CA Pets - Culver City, CA - Owning a ferret in California can get you charged with a misdemeanor, up to six months in jail, or $1,000 in fines. 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