Ferrets and the Law: Licensing and Other Issues

 

In This Chapter

• Addressing licensing issues
• Examining the existence and purpose of ferret-free zones
• Familiarizing yourself with ferret law

Some of you may be just beginning to develop a mild adoration of fuzzies; others have a fully developed love for the creatures that have melted the hearts of millions. The point is you care for the little critters, so it may surprise you to learn that ferrets actually are illegal in some cities and in some states as a whole. Places where ferrets aren’t welcome or are downright illegal are called ferret-free zones. Likewise, ferret-friendly zones are places where ferrets are safe from the politicians and other ferret haters. The classification of your living area depends on how your local government categorizes the ferret.

This chapter explains how you can find out whether having a fuzzy is legal where you live. Obviously, you should obtain this information before you take a ferret into your heart and home. You may be surprised to find out that you may even need a license for your ferret, so I talk about that too. I also show you the rationale behind outlawing these critters, and I present the ramifications of being caught red-handed with a fugitive furball.

“A License? But He Can’t Even ReachthePedals!”

Some cities and states require that owners obtain licenses or permits for their ferrets. A license can be free (such as in my state of Illinois), or it can cost as much as $100 per year. In some places, fees are per ferret, so be sure you double-check the rules for your area by first calling your state’s department of natural resources or fish and game department (whatever the state department is called). Next check with the county animal regulations, and finally your township. To get a license for your ferret, if even needed at all, you must follow the procedures provided by your governing entity.

Some permits are just useless pieces of paper, but not all permits come free of strings. For example, some require that you don’t have children under a certain age in your household if you want to bring home a ferret, and some require proof of vaccinations and/or neutering/spaying.

Some states and cities don’t regulate ferret ownership at all; however, that doesn’t mean they look upon ferrets as welcome guests. Where ferret tolerance is low, confiscations or fines may be imposed routinely or randomly. Unfortunately, some cities are very confused; they say that permits are necessary to breed and/or sell ferrets but that it’s illegal to own them. Huh? It can seem at times to be a conspiracy on the part of a few against the many ferret lovers. This is something we must deal with; all you can do is arm yourself with information, and jump through the necessary hoops.

Ferret-Free Zones and Why They Exist

Although the United States Department of Agriculture classifies ferrets as domesticated critters, some rogue state agencies still insist that domestic ferrets are wild animals. Others say that ferrets aren’t wild animals but rather exotic animals. Still others believe that ferrets are domesticated but hold firmly to the idea that they’re dangerous. Well, I’m here to tell you, without a doubt, the ferret is domesticated. But because many states regulate wild and exotic animals, and these states lump in the poor ferret where it just doesn’t belong, ferrets end up getting regulated or discriminated against.

Remember

For instance, California and Hawaii are the states that continue to outlaw ferrets (many military bases all over the country also ban furballs). However, just because your state lists ferrets as legal doesn’t mean your city does. Many major and some smaller cities remain in the dark ages as ferret-free zones. (Check out the section “Knowing the Law and the Consequences of Breaking It” to find out where to get this information.) While the lovable ferret continues to get wrapped up in bureaucracy, dedicated ferret freedom fighters continue to do their best to mow down misconceptions in the hopes of protecting and legalizing ferrets everywhere.

You may wonder how ferrets — these captivating bundles of energy and joy — can be such a source of controversy. It all lies in the myths and misconceptions department, as the following sections explain.

Californians unite!

One thing “ferret people” have in common is their devotion to their beloved pet ferrets, and Californians are no different. Being illegal in their state means simply that they have to fight harder for their rights and the rights of their fuzzies. Several organizations have sprouted up over the years to help change the regulations in California; two especially are worth noting due to their diligence in challenging the government to get ferret ownership legalized:

- Ferrets Anonymous (www.ferretsanonymous.com) is a nonprofit grassroots organization made up of California ferret enthusiasts who are working to promote awareness of the domestic ferret in conjunction with their efforts toward ferret legalization. Ferrets Anonymous publishes The FerretPaw Print, a bi-monthly newsletter with legalization updates and informative articles. Ferrets Anonymous has Chapters located all over California, so you’re bound to find a Chapter nearby if you live in that state.

- The Northern California Ferret Alliance (www.ncferretalliance.org) is another educational organization active in ferret’s rights. I’ll let its Web site speak for the organization: “The Northern California Ferret Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the domestic ferret and the people who love them. The NCFA provides education to the local community regarding ferret care, health concerns and current legalization issues, support and social events for local ferret enthusiasts as well as fund raising for ferret rescue organizations.”

Another Web site that contains great information is that of the organization Californians for Ferret Legalization. Although the organization itself is now defunct, its Web site remains up and running. This site contains more information than any other in terms of the legal issues ferrets and their owners face in California. Visit the site at www.ferretnews.org.

What’s it gonna be? Wild, domestic,orexotic?

Perhaps the biggest misconception about ferrets is that they’re wild or nondomesticated animals — no different from the neighborhood skunks and raccoons. The truth is that ferrets are domesticated animals and have been for thousands of years. Ferrets depend on their humans for survival, so how can certain governments classify them as wildlife? The answer probably lies in how scientists named them way back when.

Depending on your school of belief, the ferret is either a species all to itself (Mustela furo) or a descendant of the wild European polecat (Mustela putorius furo). The ferret is “scientifically” known by the latter distinction, which is the legal glitch that many governments have used to classify fuzzies as wildlife. Many labels come with being classified as “wildlife” — people believe wildlife to be dangerous, unpredictable, and a disease risk. Most cities and states deem wildlife illegal to keep or require special permits in situations of ownership.

The scientific name of the fuzzy isn’t the only thing standing in your way in many places:

• Some people consider ferrets to be wild because they look so much like their cousins: the minks, weasels, and polecats. But just because you may look like a famous athlete doesn’t make you part of his team, right?
• One of the world’s most endangered wildlife species, the black-footed ferret, happens to have “ferret” in its name, though it is wild and our ferret isn’t.

Feral ferrets in my neighborhood?

Perhaps the most outrageous misconception about owning ferrets — or unfounded paranoia, actually — is the fear that pet ferrets will escape, unite in the wild, form large feral (wild) colonies, and develop their own organized crime rings. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. But some governmental suits actually believe the part about the development of feral colonies. These politicians preach the idea that these colonies of roving feral ferrets will destroy native wildlife and livestock.

Here are some reasons why the feral-ferret scenario is very unlikely:

• Ferrets are domestic animals (see the previous section), and they rely on humans for survival.
• The majority of ferrets entering the pet trade are spayed or neutered.
• Ferrets are indoor pets and escape is unlikely.

Remember

Many species of domestic animals are capable of going feral, but for a colony to form, their environment has to be just perfect for them, and they have to have the necessary skills. In particular,

• There must be several feral breeders around to make more animals.
• There must be an open environmental niche.

North America has few open niches left for small predatory mammals such as the ferret. The niches are already filled with more competitive mustelids (a ferret’s cousins), such as the American mink and the longtailed weasel.

• The animal must know how to escape from predators and find food.

These are just a few of the many reasons why the likelihood of ferrets taking over your environment is very small.

Should people fear rabies?

Zero reports have been made of a ferret transmitting rabies to a human, and only a handful of cases of ferrets carrying rabies have ever been documented. In fact, dogs and cats are at much greater risk of being exposed to rabies, thus putting you at greater risk. The following points should further solidify your argument to others (and to yourself) that rabies isn’t a significant risk in ferrets:

• Ferrets have little opportunity to come in contact with rabies-infected animals in the first place.
• Infected ferrets are thought to carry dumb rabies and die quickly after becoming infected. (To compare dumb rabies with furious rabies, see Chapter Handling Viruses, Infections, and Other Conditions and Illnesses.)
• Researchers are in the early stages of investigating the hypothesis that ferrets don’t even pass the rabies virus through their saliva.

Tip

An approved rabies vaccine is available for ferrets to alleviate the fear of the disease being present. Part of being a responsible ferret owner is having your lovable fuzzball vaccinated on a yearly basis (see Chapter Setting Up Your Ferret’s Health Plan: Vets and First-Aid Kits). Most cities and states recognize the rabies vaccine developed for the ferret as being protective against rabies, so for your sake and your ferret’s, keep proof of her vaccinations on hand. A bite from your ferret without proof of rabies vaccination can cost her her life.

Knowing the Law and the Consequences of Breaking It

Ferret ownership isn’t legal or tolerated everywhere. You need to check with an appropriate and knowledgeable agency before you bring home a fuzzy to get the exact details pertaining to ferret ownership where you live. Doing so can save your ferret’s life. A good way to find out whether your ferret is welcome in your city or living area is to call your local Fish and Game Department, Department of Conservation, or Wildlife Department.

Another good source of information is your local humane society, because it’s the society’s business to know the local laws pertaining to all animals. But perhaps the best source of ferret law is your local ferret club or shelter, if your area has one. This is probably the safest source that will give you the most accurate information. After all, ferret people have the most invested in keeping their ferrets safe. Finally, check with your veterinarian. He has probably been treating ferrets and should know the general laws pertaining to them.

Warning!

Please, please don’t rely solely on the advice or opinion of a pet-shop employee or breeder when it comes to ferret law. Even if these folks know your local laws, they may not be forthcoming in providing accurate information to potential buyers. This isn’t true of all pet-shop employees or breeders, but why risk it? If you must ask one of these sources, be sure to get a second and third opinion.

So, say you get caught red-handed breaking your local ferret laws. So what?

First of all, the danger to your little fuzzy is great. Some ferret-free zones won’t hesitate to remove your furry family member from her safe, secure home for good. If your ferret is lucky, she may get shipped to a shelter in a ferret-friendly zone where her life can begin anew. If she’s unlucky, though, her life will abruptly end — all because of your carelessness and unfortunate misconceptions. Confiscation of your fuzzy is basically inevitable, but you may also get slapped with fines. Some fines are pretty hefty — like $2,000 per ferret offense.

by Kim Schilling