|
Readers Column
 Our Government "at Work"
Note - Teresa moved from Oregon to Nevada and had to drive her ferrets through California --- This is her story!
Just thought I'd let you know about how our trip went. I tried calling border control and seeing if they would let me (drive through California) if I could prove that I was just passing through and settling in Nevada. They said absolutely not. I had a gut feeling that they would be looking for me to try and take them through anyway so the ferrets stayed in a small crate under a blanket between the two kids booster seats in the car and I drove the moving van.
We got to the CA border and I was immediately pulled over to the side, they told me I needed to open the back. And they asked me if I had ferrets in my truck, before they even opened the door and saw the empty cages! Yeah they were waiting for me. Complete with animal control. I told them that we decided to ship them because we didn't want to take the risk, as my husband drove past me right through the border control with no problems.
They let me go on my way, and the animal control left the border check right after I left.
We did find out the little loop around the border check (I linked the map above) is closed off
Thanks for your advice! And I know now, not to call the border check and warn them that I'm coming!!!
Teresa
Looking for a
Sacramento Area Vet
I have a ferret that is losing fur and gaining weight. My wife did some research and says it may be adrenal disease and may need surgery.
I have gone to the website looking for vets in my area but could not find any info. We live in downtown Sacramento. I am afraid to go to the vet without knowing who has experience, who will even see ferrets, and who will not turn our little boy in. If you or your readers know of a vet we can go to and have him looked, we would really appreciate it.
James and Cara and Mocha
When I got your email the vet search page was down. But if anyone has a recommendation for a Sacramento vet who is good with ferrets, please let us know.
Congratulations to Angela P. who also went to Las Vegas for Christmas to pick up two babies, Daisy and Zephlyn
|
|
|
Last Minute Deal From Castro Valley Animal Hospital
Mention CLIFFNotes and get $ 15.00 off your next visit,
Join the "3000 Club and get $ 30.00 off. |
|
|
| We love our advertisers! Contact us to get your ad here. |
|
Reasons To Be Hopeful in 2010
We are in good shape for 2010 - our numbers are growing, morale is high, we have a goal and a purpose, and even a little corporate funding.
Any day now, the 2nd quarterly report for the Environmental Impact Report should arrive putting us at the half way mark. This is the research needed before the EIR is filed. We have hired Dr Geo Graening of Sacramento State University to do the research. I don't expect anyone will discover any negative effects that domestic ferrets would have on our environment.
Even still, don't under estimate our opposition. On the Republican side, the Farm Bureau and the California Waterfowl Association are likely to oppose any efforts for ferret legalization. And on the Democratic side, expect opposition from the Sierra Club & Audubon Society folks.
|
|
 |
 |
| The California Farm Bureau believes ferrets could be an agricultural pest |
California Waterfowl Assoc claims ferrets will go after ground nesting birds |
The Sierra Club and the Audubon Society oppose ferret legalization but we don't know exactly why |
In fact this message arrived in Joe Ferret's Facebook page:
"There's a good reason why ferrets are illegal in California if you would like to know more about it my friends and i are free to explain."
So we will take her up on her on this challenge. I told her I'd publish this. She (who wishes to remain anonymous) and a group of friends have taken it on as a project. -A perfect focus group for our efforts. Rather than get angry and consider her our enemy - let's see if perhaps if her own research will lead her to the opposite conclusion - that ferrets need to be legal in California too. We hope to publish their argument in the Jan 10th issue of CliffNotes.
The point is - we need not only sterling research (the EIR), but grassroots organization to see ferrets legalized. - And we're getting there!
Lots To Do in 2010
 This is an election year (insert groan here). Shortly, candidates will be filing for the offices we are interested in - Governor, Lt Governor, Attorney General, 80 members of the state assembly and 20 state senators.
We will be sending out another round of candidate questionnaires and posting the replies on a website, plus we'll have those results here in CLIFFNotes.
Being in the process of conducting an EIR will also give us credibility this year. How nice it is when things come together.
We've done this several times. The biggest obstacle is being taken seriously. Several candidates thought it was all a joke.
I have an idea of doing it a little differently this year and sending out a quiz before we send out the survey. "Test your ferret knowledge." For example; "How many states are ferrets not legal in?" "How many people are treated for ferret bites every year?" "How many chickens/goats/cows are lost to marauding ferrets every year?" "How much money does the California economy lose annually because of the ferret ban?" - You get my drift. Anyone wish to help write the piece? Perhaps we could get a little media attention with it?
The giant Pet Expo in Orange County happens in March. We normally sign up 300 people for CLIFFNotes. Last year the sign ups didn't join the 3000 club or get involved in any great numbers. - But I'd like to do it again. We produced a double-sided tent card to hand out, perhaps another version of our literature is in order. Again - any creative writers out there?
2010 Ferrets Anonymous Round Up
= Hurry Up & Wait...
A few weeks ago, I mentioned in the last issue of the Ferrets Anonymous Paw Print, that we were looking to host the 2010 Ferret Round Up in San Diego. One of Cliff Notes' readers was kind enough to volunteer a church in the San Diego area that rents out its meeting room for events and meetings, so we got a copy of the paperwork and filled & faxed it out and waited. Finally, after a few weeks of waiting, I called them to find out what the hold up was. As it turns out, Ferrets Anonymous does not fit with the church's mission statement (we weren't looking to have a church meeting, but I digress). As of this time, we are working on the Round Up, but the location has not been determined. If you have any suggestions for a location in San Diego, please let me know. We do out best to keep the cost of renting the hall down, and we must be able to have use of a kitchen since the event is a potluck. If you have any information, please let me know! I'd like to get the hall booked ASAP, so we can get the rest of the event planned. I hope to avoid having to make last minute plans!
Thanks,
Lance M. - Ferrets Anonynmous
(949) 303-8481
P.S. - Praise Ferrets...
Calendar Blowout
Our 2010 Calendar Project was a lot of fun. We did sell enough calendars to make a profit and bring new people into the effort to legalize ferrets in California. But I still have a lot of Calendars in my garage and they aren't doing anyone any good - so:
Thanks for the Birthday Wishes
 |
| Jeanne G giving Quito a little attention at the party. Its hard to compete with the babies. |
My thanks to everyone who came to my birthday party last week, Dec 27th. Being born too close to Christmas I usually get gypped for birthdays so it was a lot of fun to share it and the two new babies, Bailey and Tiger I picked up in Las Vegas.
It's been interesting to watch the personalities of the two babies. Tiger is outgoing and loves feet. Bailey is an introverted ferret and takes a little coaxing - I've never had a ferret like that before.
The ferret poop has increased exponentially, just as Lori L. theorized in an earlier CLIFFNotes.
 |
 |
| Dogs Blue and Bear think "oh no, not another one!" |
Bailey (light) and Tiger (dark) frolic in the cabinets |
As of Sunday morning I don't have permission to keep both ferrets. I was only supposed to have one. But I also don't have an order to place Tiger. Aimee G. is graciously standing by as Tiger's new home.
 In Conclusion
I love New Years - especially when things are going well.
We've done the ground work, we've learned from our mistakes, we're all pretty much united and communication is almost instantaneous. Next year at this time we should be close to legalization.
Thanks to everyone who has helped. Please continue to do so. Join the 3000 Club if you aren't a member. Buy a calendar for your friends. Encourage people to sign up for CLIFFNotes. Enjoy your ferrets.
Now I have to go down stairs and clean up all that ferret poop!
 |
 |
After the 2nd quarter EIR report is in and paid for, we'll be ordering more t-shirts from these two designs.
|
| |
