If you have ever wondered why are ferrets illegal in California, you’re not alone. The state of California’s Fish and Game Commission classifies ferrets as wild. California has banned the pet since 1933, but this ban has changed over the years. The Department of Food and Agriculture’s 1933 ferret importation laws listed many dangerous animals that could become a threat to domestic wildlife.
While ferrets are not considered domestic animals, they are actually legal in 48 states, including Hawaii. California has laws on ferret ownership, which require you to get a license and pay a one-time license fee. Ferrets are known to eat cat food and are nocturnal, making them ideal pets. They’re not destructive or aggressive, so you should consider getting a pet ferret for companionship and fun.
In order to make California legal for ferrets, the state must collect 365,880 signatures. With a quarter of the signatures collected, the initiative will have a chance to be heard by the state legislature. So far, the Golden State Ferret Society meets monthly in Hayward. They organize demonstrations outside pet stores and Grateful Dead tribute concerts to call attention to the ban. And on February 19, they plan a rally outside of state assemblyman Marc Levine’s San Rafael office.
The reason that California has banned ferret importation is because these exotic animals could potentially damage the state’s ecosystem. These animals are hard to house train, and the state does not want more of them on the streets. Ferrets are also known to be difficult to house-train, so it’s important to educate yourself about the laws regarding ferrets. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to find a ferret in another state.
California’s laws regarding ferrets are a complex set of rules. If you have a ferret in California, you can be fined anywhere from $500 to ten thousand dollars. Even if you get away with it, you could be imprisoned or face a felony charge. If you’re convicted of owning a ferret, you may lose your pet forever.
Another reason why they’re illegal in California is because the state’s Fish and Wildlife department doesn’t want the animals to cause harm to native species. While the threat of rabies isn’t as high, the threat to chickens and other animals is significant. Ferrets, unlike cats, do not have the survival skills to create feral breeding colonies. Because they need to be neutered, the Fish and Wildlife department doesn’t want to invest time and money in an EIR for a pet.
Although ferrets are still considered wild animals, they have been living among humans for thousands of years. While they are similar to cats in appearance and nature, they are not frightened of humans. Their social and affectionate personalities make them ideal pets. While they are mischievous, they only bite. The bites they give are no worse than those of a cat. Cats, on the other hand, can transmit bacteria and toxoplasmosis, which can harm a pregnant woman’s fetus. Dog bites result in twenty to thirty deaths every year in California.
What happens if I get caught with a ferret in California?
Owning a pet ferret in California can result in monetary fines, criminal charges, and even jail time. The fines can be from $500 up to $10,000. If you are caught, ferret owners may also be charged to pay for transportation, handling, and storing every ferret they find in their home.
Can you get a permit to own a ferret in California?
From www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/species/nuis_exo/ferret/: “In California, domestic ferrets are legal to import, transport, or possess only by permit. Permits are issued for specific purposes, such as for medical research or for transportation of confiscated ferrets or rescued stray ones out of state.
Are ferrets illegal in California?
Domesticated originally for vermin control, they now make extremely popular pets and are legal in all or parts of every state except California and Hawaii. Despite intensive lobbying to legalize ferrets in California, however, you cannot legally keep a ferret in California without a permit.
Can you own a ferret in California with a permit?
From www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/species/nuis_exo/ferret/: “In California, domestic ferrets are legal to import, transport, or possess only by permit. Permits are issued for specific purposes, such as for medical research or for transportation of confiscated ferrets or rescued stray ones out of state.
Can you visit California with a ferret?
Domesticated originally for vermin control, they now make extremely popular pets and are legal in all or parts of every state except California and Hawaii. Despite intensive lobbying to legalize ferrets in California, however, you cannot legally keep a ferret in California without a permit.
Will ferrets be legal in California?
The California Legalize Ferrets as Pets Initiative (#21-0044) may appear on the ballot in California as an initiated state statute on November 8, 2022. The ballot initiative would recognize ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) as domestic animals, thus legalizing them as pets.
Can you go to jail for having a ferret in California?
Owning a ferret in California can get you charged with a misdemeanor, up to six months in jail, or $1,000 in fines.
How do I get a permit to own a ferret in California?
According to Californian law, ferret permits aren’t for ownership but for “a specific, legal purpose — such as medical research or transporting rescued ferrets out of state.” The state might provide an animal rescue with a permit to rescue ferrets from a hoarding situation, for example, and transport them to …M
How can I legally own a ferret in California?
California Ferrets are illegal in California except by special permit issued by the Dept. of Fish and Game. From www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/species/nuis_exo/ferret/: “In California, domestic ferrets are legal to import, transport, or possess only by permit.
