Author Archives: Legalize Ferrets

Accepted, Not Denied, Never Decided: California Ferret Petition Remains Unresolved After 378 Days

Petitioners say State's inaction has left them with fewer rights than if the petition had been denied

LA MESA, Calif., June 25, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Three hundred seventy-eight days after the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously voted to give further consideration to a petition seeking removal of domestic ferrets from California’s restricted species list, the petition remains unresolved, says Legalize Ferrets (Legalizeferrets.org).

Photo caption: Dino pauses for a photo while exploring his favorite room in the house – the laundry room. More than a year after California regulators voted to consider Petition 2025-003, the petition remains unresolved.

No recommendation has been issued. No determination has been provided to the petitioner. No final action has been taken.

Petitioners argue that the result is a procedural dead end: had the petition been denied, they could have sought judicial review. Instead, the petition was accepted and referred for evaluation, but remains unresolved more than a year later.

“The unusual part of this case is that acceptance of the petition appears to have left us with fewer practical remedies than a denial would have,” said Pat Wright, founder of LegalizeFerrets.org. “Had the petition been rejected, we could have challenged that decision. Instead, it was accepted, referred, and then left unresolved.”

A PETITION ACCEPTED BUT NEVER DECIDED

On June 11, 2025, the Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to give further consideration to Petition 2025-003 and referred the matter to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for evaluation.

Had the Commission denied the petition, petitioners could have pursued available legal remedies. Had the petition proceeded through the normal administrative process, the Department would have completed its review and returned a recommendation to the Commission.

Instead, 378 days later, the petition remains pending without a final determination.

Petitioners contend that the State’s inaction has created a situation in which the administrative process has stalled while no final agency decision exists for a court to review.

PUBLIC RECORDS RAISE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

Seeking to understand the status of the petition, petitioners submitted multiple requests under the California Public Records Act.

In response to an April 2026 records request, the Department reported that no responsive records existed. A later records request produced internal documents showing the petition was known to Department personnel and appeared on an internal petitions agenda.

Meeting notes from an April 29, 2026 petitions meeting show discussion of several petitions. The notation for the ferret petition states only: “No discussion.”

Records produced to date have revealed no documented recommendation, evaluation, or analysis of Petition 2025-003.

Additional records revealed litigation-hold communications relating to the petition and subsequent litigation.

THE QUESTION BEFORE THE COURT

The litigation does not ask the court to legalize ferrets.

Instead, the case seeks judicial review of whether state agencies have fulfilled their legal obligations after accepting a petition for consideration.

According to filings in the case, the State argues that petitioners generally must await final agency action before seeking judicial review. Petitioners argue that because no final action has ever been taken, they have been left in procedural limbo—unable to obtain a decision from the agency while simultaneously being told there is no final decision to challenge.

“The question extends beyond ferrets,” Wright said. “If an agency can accept a petition and then simply never complete the process, the public’s right to petition government becomes largely meaningless. Citizens should be entitled to an answer.”

TIMELINE

June 11, 2025
Fish and Game Commission votes unanimously to give further consideration to Petition 2025-003 and refers it to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

April 2026
Department responds to a Public Records Act request stating that no responsive records exist.

May–June 2026
Additional Public Records Act requests produce internal records, petitions meeting notes, and litigation-hold communications.

March 19, 2026
Petitioners file a writ action in Sacramento County Superior Court seeking judicial intervention.

June 24, 2026
Petition remains unresolved 378 days after referral.

ABOUT THE PETITION

Petition 2025-003 seeks removal of domestic ferrets from California’s restricted species list. Domestic ferrets are legal pets in 48 states. California remains one of only two states that prohibit private ownership.

ABOUT LEGALIZEFERRETS.ORG

Legalize Ferrets (LegalizeFerrets.org) is a California-based advocacy organization dedicated to ending California’s prohibition on domestic ferrets through legislation, administrative reform, public education, transparency, and legal action. Learn more: https://legalizeferrets.org/.

MULTIMEDIA:

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NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Legalize Ferrets), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/accepted-not-denied-never-decided-california-ferret-petition-remains-unresolved-after-378-days/

California’s Response to Ferret Lawsuit Raises Questions About Agency Authority and Petition Rights

LA MESA, Calif., May 11, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — LegalizeFerrets.org says a new phase has emerged in California’s long-running ferret controversy after the California Fish and Game Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife filed demurrers in response to a lawsuit involving Petition 2025-003 — a citizen petition seeking reconsideration of California’s classification of domestic ferrets as restricted animals.

Image caption: California’s response to the Petition 2025-003 lawsuit is raising questions about whether agencies may indefinitely delay citizen petitions — and whether the Fish and Game Commission believes it possesses authority to legalize ferrets.

The lawsuit, filed in Sacramento Superior Court, centers on whether California agencies may indefinitely leave formally accepted citizen petitions under “further consideration” without issuing a meaningful determination.

But the State’s response has also raised an additional issue.

According to the filings, the State appears to leave open the argument that the Fish and Game Commission may not possess authority to legalize ferrets through regulation — despite California having treated ferret legalization for decades as a regulatory matter handled through the Commission process.

“For years, Californians were told ferret legalization had to go through the Fish and Game Commission,” said Pat Wright of LegalizeFerrets.org. “Now the State appears to be suggesting the Commission may not even possess authority to do what it has spent decades reviewing, debating, and processing through regulatory channels.”

Petition 2025-003 was formally accepted by the Commission for “further consideration” in June 2025 and referred to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for review and recommendation.

After months passed without an apparent substantive decision, Public Records Act requests were submitted seeking records showing what evaluation work had been performed. The responses to those requests ultimately contributed to the filing of the writ lawsuit now before the court.

The State’s demurrer argues that the Commission satisfied its obligations under California’s Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by accepting the petition, discussing it publicly, and referring it internally for further review.

Supporters of the petition argue that such an interpretation risks undermining the practical purpose of California’s petition process.

“If agencies can indefinitely refer petitions internally without producing meaningful outcomes, Californians have a right to ask what the petition process actually guarantees,” Wright said.

The dispute also highlights language already contained within California regulations. Title 14, Section 671 states:

“The California Fish and Game Commission has determined the below listed animals are not normally domesticated in this state.”

The regulation includes the Mustelidae family, which includes ferrets.

Supporters argue that language raises a central question: if the Commission possessed authority to determine ferrets were “not normally domesticated,” why would it lack authority to revisit or reconsider that determination?

The court is not currently deciding whether ferrets should be legalized in California. The immediate issue before the court is whether the lawsuit may proceed and whether California agencies must provide meaningful responses to formally accepted petitions for regulatory change.

Additional background and analysis regarding the lawsuit and the State’s filing are available at:
https://www.legalizeferrets.org/california-ferret-legalization-lawsuit/

About LegalizeFerrets.org

LegalizeFerrets.org is an advocacy organization focused on educating the public about domestic ferrets and pursuing regulatory and legal efforts related to California’s long-standing ferret restrictions.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pat Wright
LegalizeFerrets.org
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
https://www.legalizeferrets.org/

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NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/californias-response-to-ferret-lawsuit-raises-questions-about-agency-authority-and-petition-rights/

California Resident Files Writ of Mandate Regarding State Ferret Ban

Domestic ferrets are legal to own in 48 U.S. states, yet California continues to maintain a prohibition

LA MESA, Calif., March 18, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Pat Wright, a California resident and advocate for ferret legalization, and founder of LegalizeFerrets.org, has filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate in Sacramento County Superior Court against the California Fish and Game Commission and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Image caption: Domestic ferrets are widely kept as companion animals and are legal household pets in 48 U.S. states.

The petition asks the court to compel the agencies to comply with their duties under the California Administrative Procedure Act in response to Petition 2025-003, which challenges the continued classification of domestic ferrets as prohibited animals in California.

Domestic ferrets are legal to own in 48 U.S. states, yet California continues to maintain a prohibition that originated in early importation regulations adopted in 1933.

Under Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, section 671, ferrets are prohibited because they are categorized as animals “not normally domesticated in this state.” Historical materials describing the regulatory history of ferrets in California indicate that this determination appeared in regulatory language adopted in 1988, stating that the Commission had determined the listed animals were not normally domesticated in California.

A chronology of California’s ferret regulations appears in Appendix II: History of California Regulations / Policies Pertaining to Ferrets, compiled from multiple sources including Kizer and Constantine (1989), Weisser (1991), Moore and Whisson (1998), Herman (2000), Graening (2010), and California Department of Fish and Game records.

In June 2025, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously accepted Petition 2025-003 for consideration and referred it to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for review.

According to Wright, the agencies have not yet issued a formal response to the petition.

Seeking to understand what work had been conducted in response to the petition, Wright submitted California Public Records Act requests for documents describing the Department’s review.

“The Department responded that it may take up to 90 days to produce records showing what actions have been taken,” Wright said.

Wright argues that the pace of response contrasts with how the Commission has handled other petitions.

In a recent case involving Asian water buffalo, the Commission completed the petition review process in approximately eight and a half months.

“The Commission accepted Petition 2025-003 last June,” Wright said. “We are simply asking the agencies to perform the review and provide the response required under California law.”

The lawsuit asks the court to order the agencies to perform their statutory duties and properly respond to Petition 2025-003.

The filed petition and supporting notice can be viewed here: (PDF) https://www.legalizeferrets.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Writ-and-Exhibit-A.pdf

Additional information about the petition and the effort to legalize ferrets in California can be found at: https://www.legalizeferrets.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Pat Wright
LegalizeFerrets.org
619-303-0645 or cell 619-757-7426

MULTIMEDIA

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Image caption: Domestic ferrets are widely kept as companion animals and are legal household pets in 48 U.S. states.

NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/california-resident-files-writ-of-mandate-regarding-state-ferret-ban/

California’s Ferret Ban: Inherited in 1933 – Never Determined

Newly Released Records Show No Evidence-Based Decision Ever Made

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Oct. 21, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — After nearly eight months of waiting for public records, Legalize Ferrets (LegalizeFerrets.org) has obtained internal California Fish and Game Commission documents confirming that California’s ban on domestic ferrets was never based on scientific or administrative findings.

Image caption: California’s Ferret Ban: Inherited in 1933 – Never Determined.

The newly released materials trace the prohibition back to 1933, when the Commission simply declared that it “absolutely prohibits importation of ferret and fitch.” No hearing, no environmental study, and no determination of domestication ever took place.

“Ferrets are banned because they are not ‘normally domesticated in this state,’ and they are not ‘normally domesticated in this state’ because they are banned,” said Pat Wright of LegalizeFerrets.org. “It’s circular logic that has gone unchallenged for ninety years.”

A TIMELINE OF BUREAUCRATIC INHERITANCE

1933: Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation of Wild Birds and Animals — Commission “absolutely prohibits importation of ferret and fitch.”
1975: Fish & Game Code §2116 amended to add “not normally domesticated,” and ferrets were automatically labeled as such — again with no hearing or evidence.
Today: The current ban remains a direct descendant of those early rules, never revisited through modern, evidence-based review.

“These documents prove the ban was inherited, not determined,” Wright said. “There was never a factual finding that ferrets are wild animals — just 1930s boilerplate carried forward.”

LEGALIZATION EFFORT GAINS TRACTION UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT

The campaign for ferret legalization gained new traction this year after LegalizeFerrets.org formally invoked California’s Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

Under the APA, state agencies must base decisions on scientific evidence, follow transparent procedures, and allow public comment before adopting or maintaining a regulation.

“This law finally puts the issue where it belongs — in the light of science and public participation,” Wright explained. “For the first time, the Commission is being required to justify its classification of domestic ferrets under modern standards.”

PETITION 2025-003 MOVES FORWARD

On June 11, 2025, the California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to accept Petition 2025-003 for further consideration. The petition seeks to remove domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) from the prohibited species list — the first formal step toward a scientific, evidence-based review.

“The issue is simple,” Wright said. “Are domestic ferrets domestic animals? If so, the Fish and Game Commission has no jurisdiction. That’s the question the state has avoided answering for nine decades.”

CALL FOR EXPERTS AND PUBLIC SUPPORT

LegalizeFerrets.org is now seeking expert witnesses in animal domestication, wildlife biology, and administrative law to assist as the case proceeds.
Supporters are also urged to add their name to the public petition at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYOnd3GDwgbsZoZYlja6p8GHJlOg71x2v_8v1m4BXf2I-BHQ/viewform?usp=header

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pat Wright
LegalizeFerrets.org
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
(619) 757-7426
https://www.LegalizeFerrets.org

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NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/californias-ferret-ban-inherited-in-1933-never-determined/

Deemed Wild and Dangerous – But Fish & Game Can’t Produce a Single Document or Respond to Our Records Request

LA MESA, Calif., May 21, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — On February 12, 2025, a formal Public Records Act (PRA) request was submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission seeking documentation to justify the classification of domestic ferrets as “not normally domesticated in California” by LegalizeFerrets.org. The request specifically asked for any scientific studies, internal memos, environmental risk assessments, or correspondence used to uphold the ongoing prohibition of domestic ferrets under Title 14, Section 671 of the California Code of Regulations.

Image caption: While the months fly by, we’re still waiting for answers. Our Public Records Act request to the California Fish and Game Commission has gone unanswered—just like the last 35 years of silence.

As of today – more than 90 days later – no responsive records have been produced.

We acknowledge and appreciate the professional efforts of Executive Director Melissa Miller-Henson and her staff, particularly Cynthia McKeith, who confirmed receipt of our request and committed to transparency. This is not a failure of staff, who were given an impossible task: to produce evidence that likely doesn’t exist.

“We’re not angry with the staff. In fact, we feel for them. Melissa Miller-Henson inherited a legacy of bureaucratic neglect. We’re sorry she got stuck with this,” said Pat Wright, who submitted the request. “But after 35 years of petitions being ignored or quietly denied without justification, we’re done being silent.”

The request asked for documents dating back to 1931, when the original mustelid regulation was enacted. The public has a right to know: was the ferret ban ever based on actual evidence, or has it simply persisted unchallenged?

In the absence of records, this silence speaks volumes. The California Fish and Game Commission owes the public more than a stall – it owes an explanation.

We remain committed to transparency, due process, and accountability in our campaign to legalize domestic ferrets in California. All responses, or lack thereof, will be documented publicly.

For more information or to follow the ongoing effort, visit: https://www.legalizeferrets.org

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MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:
Pat Wright
LegalizeFerrets.org
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
(619) 303-0645

NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/deemed-wild-and-dangerous-but-fish-game-cant-produce-a-single-document-or-respond-to-our-records-request/

California Ferret Advocates Push Forward – Support Needed for Petition 2025-003!

LA MESA, Calif., March 18, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Ferret lovers across California and the nation are rallying behind Petition 2025-003, now officially acknowledged by the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC). This petition seeks to reclassify ferrets as domestic animals, challenging California’s outdated and scientifically unsupported ban, LegalizeFerrets.org announced today.

Image caption: Domestic ferrets are pets and don’t exist in the wild.

Despite being legal in 48 other states, ferrets remain classified as wild and detrimental in California—without public input or scientific justification. The Commission is set to review the petition in its upcoming meetings, and public support is critical to ensure fair consideration.

KEY MEETING DATES & HOW TO PARTICIPATE

The Fish and Game Commission will discuss Petition 2025-003 at the following meetings:

April 16-17, 2025 | Capitol Event Center, Sacramento, CA
June 11-12, 2025 | Sacramento area (Venue TBD)

Supporters are encouraged to attend in person or virtually and to submit written comments in favor of reclassifying ferrets as domestic animals.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION:

:: Attend the meetings – Show up in person or participate virtually. Details will be posted on FGC’s website.

:: Submit public comments – Email fgc@fgc.ca.gov or mail:
California Fish and Game Commission
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

:: Share and spread the word – Let others know why ferrets deserve fair treatment under the law!

WHY THIS MATTERS

“Ferrets are not wild or dangerous. They’ve been domesticated for thousands of years,” said Pat Wright, founder of LegalizeFerrets.org. “California’s ban is based on outdated fears, and it’s time to correct this injustice. The Fish and Game Commission is legally obligated under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to provide a fair and transparent review of our petition.”

CALL TO ACTION

This is a rare and crucial opportunity to finally bring ferrets into the legal pet category where they belong. California pet lovers, veterinarians, and animal welfare advocates must come together to ensure the Commission fairly considers Petition 2025-003.

Act Now! The Commission will be reviewing the petition soon—make sure they hear your voice!

Stay updated & learn more at https://www.legalizeferrets.org/

Location: California (Statewide)

Media Contact: Pat Wright, LegalizeFerrets.org, (619) 303-0645, CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org

Together, let’s make ferret legalization a reality!

NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/california-ferret-advocates-push-forward-support-needed-for-petition-2025-003/

Legalize Ferrets Pauses Lawsuit, Files Petition for Regulatory Change with California Office of Administrative Law

SAN DIEGO, Calif., Oct. 11, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Legalize Ferrets, the grassroots organization advocating for the legalization of domestic ferrets in California, has announced a strategic pause in its ongoing lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court. The decision follows the filing of a petition for regulatory change with the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL), marking a new approach in the effort to challenge the state’s longstanding ban on ferrets.

Image caption: Legalize Ferrets Files Petition for Regulatory Change with California Office of Administrative Law.

The shift in strategy stems from the fact that California’s ferret ban, enacted in 1931, predates the establishment of the OAL and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The APA mandates that all regulations go through a formal process to ensure transparency, accountability, and public input—something that did not occur with the ferret ban. By filing this petition, Legalize Ferrets is now addressing the issue where it originated: before the OAL.

“We believe this petition represents our best path forward,” said Pat Wright, founder of Legalize Ferrets. “The OAL was created to ensure that regulations like this are properly vetted through a formal process, which is something the ferret ban has never gone through. We are optimistic that this will lead to a fair and thorough review, which has been missing for nearly a century.”

The OAL has sixty days to respond to the petition, during which Legalize Ferrets remains committed to pursuing all available avenues for justice. While the lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court is paused, the group believes that the regulatory petition offers a strong chance of success by revisiting the legal basis for the ban.

“We’re not stepping back – we’re simply changing our approach,” Wright added. “We’re confident that the regulatory process will allow for a fresh and fair review of the facts, and we encourage our supporters to stay engaged and continue pushing for change.”

Supporters are encouraged to sign the Change.org petition to further the cause.

About Legalize Ferrets:

Legalize Ferrets is a grassroots organization dedicated to the legalization of domestic ferrets in California. The group advocates for legislative and regulatory changes to overturn the nearly century-old ban on ferrets in the state. Through legal action, public outreach, and education, Legalize Ferrets aims to ensure that ferret owners can enjoy the same rights as pet owners in 48 other states.

For more information, please visit https://www.legalizeferrets.org/.

The petition and exhibits are at (PDF): https://www.legalizeferrets.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Petition-for-Regulation-Change.pdf.

There is a change.org petition that people can sign at https://chng.it/mw7MJNpc95.

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NEWS SOURCE: Legalize Ferrets

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/legalize-ferrets-pauses-lawsuit-files-petition-for-regulatory-change-with-california-office-of-administrative-law/

Long Time Ferret Activist Pat Wright Files Lawsuit Against California Fish and Game Commission President Eric Sklar

LA MESA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Pat Wright, a resident of La Mesa, California, has filed a lawsuit against Eric Sklar, President of the California Fish and Game Commission in San Diego Superior Court, challenging the arbitrary classification of domestic ferrets as wild animals. The lawsuit, titled Wright v. Sklar, was filed in the San Diego Superior Court and seeks a writ of mandate and declaratory relief. Wright is the founder of LegalizeFerrets.org.

Mr. Wright, acting pro se, asserts that the California Fish and Game Commission's decision to categorize domestic ferrets as wild animals, without conducting thorough (or any) scientific studies or affording meaningful public input, is unjust and lacks a foundation in scientific evidence. The lawsuit alleges that this decision subjects domestic ferrets to unnecessary prohibition and regulatory restrictions.

The lawsuit highlights the fundamental rights at stake, including property rights, due process rights, and the right to have governmental decisions based on scientific evidence. Mr. Wright contends that the Commission's actions represent a clear violation of these rights and are incompatible with legal standards governing the proper classification of domesticated animals.

In response to a motion to demurrer filed by the Attorney General's office on behalf of Mr. Sklar, Mr. Wright has provided a detailed response, citing legal precedents and challenging the grounds for demurrer. He maintains that his petition for a writ of mandate is legally sufficient and urges the Commission to reconsider its intended demurrer.

Mr. Wright emphasizes his commitment to pursuing judicial recourse in a diligent and expedient manner. Despite efforts to secure legal representation, Mr. Wright has been unable to find an attorney, and he encourages any legal assistance or support in this matter.

For further information or inquiries regarding the lawsuit, please contact Wright at 619-303-0645 or via email at CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org.

REF - court document ID: Case No.: 37-2024-00006114-CU-MC-CTL

Pat Wright, a resident of La Mesa, California, has filed a lawsuit against Eric Sklar, President of the California Fish and Game Commission in San Diego Superior Court, challenging the arbitrary classification of domestic ferrets as wild animals. The lawsuit, titled Wright v. Sklar, was filed in the San Diego Superior Court and seeks a writ of mandate and declaratory relief. Wright is the founder of LegalizeFerrets.org.

Related link: https://www.legalizeferrets.org/

California Ferret Owners Submit Ballot Initiative to Attorney General for Legal Opinion, But Attorney General Ignores Civil Code on Domestic Animals

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Non-profit Legalize Ferrets (legalizeferrets.org) announced today that we are disappointed that California Attorney General ignores Civil Code in Domestic Ferret Ballot Initiative.

LegalizeFerrets.org, a ferret legalization grassroots organization, has repeatedly asked the California Attorney General for a legal opinion.

Since the civil code says domestic animals are legal:

CIVIL CODE - CIV

DIVISION 2. PROPERTY [654 - 1422]

There may be ownership of all inanimate things which are capable of appropriation or of manual delivery; of all domestic animals; of all obligations; of such products of labor or skill as the composition of an author, the good will of a business, trade marks and signs, and of rights created or granted by statute.

Every credible source, and even the name states - domestic ferrets are domestic animals Therefore we wanted to know if the state of California officially recognized the domestic ferret as domestic would that mean they're legal? But we never received a reply from the AG.

According to the California Attorney General's website:

* As the chief law officer of the state, the California Attorney General provides legal opinions upon request to designated state and local public officials and government agencies on issues arising in the course of their duties. The formal legal opinions of the Attorney General have been accorded "great respect" and "great weight" by the courts.

Supporters of LegalizeFerrets.org have asked their representatives to make this request without success. So, we filed a ballot initiative in hopes that the title and summary would answer this question.

It was a treacherous journey. The AG's office ignored all our questions. We dealt with the Legislative Analyst's office and the Secretary of State's office - all successful; those people were friendly and helpful. But we could not get an answer on how to submit the ballot initiative from the AG until a Democratic Party activist with the state of Alaska gave us a contact phone number at the Secretary of State's office. Anabel Renteria finally emailed us with the suggestion:

You can submit your initiative anytime, in person, at the following address:

Department of Justice
1300 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

Five weeks later the title and summary were posted on their website:

California law identifies ferrets as wild animals that are restricted because "such animals are undesirable and a menace to native wildlife, the agricultural interests of the state, or to the public health or safety." Current law and regulations make it illegal to own ferrets as pets without a state permit.

No mention of the conflict between California's civil code which allows ownership of all domestic animals and other, namely Fish and Game Code which says:

* FISH AND GAME CODE 2116: Put ferrets in a group of wild animals. Says they are "not normally domesticated in this state as determined by the commission."

* FISH AND GAME CODE 2118: It is unlawful to import, transport, possess, or release alive into this state, except under a revocable, nontransferable permit as provided in this chapter and the regulations pertaining thereto, any wild animal of the following species: (ferrets are included in this list).

* (CCR), title 14, section 671: (a) It shall be unlawful to import, transport, or possess live animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under permit issued by the department. (You know ferrets are included in this list)

* (CCR), title 14, section 671: (b) The commission has determined the below listed animals are not normally domesticated in this state.

Why are these codes relevant but the civil code allowing ownership of all domestic animals isn't even mentioned?

Why won't the AG's office even communicate with us? We have a very valid and sincere question.

Facts are stubborn things. No one states that the domestic ferret is a wild animal. No one believes they are "wild," "undesirable," or a "menace." They are legal in 48 states without any negative consequences.

Learn more at: https://www.legalizeferrets.org/

Non-profit Legalize Ferrets (legalizeferrets.org) announced today that we are disappointed that California Attorney General ignores Civil Code in Domestic Ferret Ballot Initiative. The ferret legalization grassroots organization, has repeatedly asked the California Attorney General for a legal opinion.

Related link: https://www.legalizeferrets.org/

City of La Mesa offers Official Proclamation in Support of Ferret Legalization for California

LA MESA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Mayor Mark Arapostathis and all members of the La Mesa City Council issued a proclamation on November 9 urging the California State Legislature to pass ferret legalization legislation, non-profit Legalize Ferrets announced today.

You can read the official proclamation at http://www.legalizeferrets.org/

The original request was for La Mesa to declare itself a ferret sanctuary city. The idea drew support, but many people objected to the term "sanctuary." The request was made to declare La Mesa a "ferret friendly city."

Ferret owners were aided at first by city councilwoman Kristine Alessio who has had experience with Savannah cat legalization issues and knew what ferret owners are facing in a hostile Fish and Game Commission and apathetic California legislature.

"We were also aided by city councilman Bill Baber who sympathized with us for facing another useless and outdated law backed up by an out of touch state agency," said Pat Wright of Legalize Ferrets.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis was an outstanding ally of the ferrets and recommended a proclamation.

Wright added, "We are also grateful to City Councilmen Guy McWhiter and Colin Parent who agreed with the absurdity and cruelty of California's anti-ferret law and signed on to the proclamation."

California ferret lovers continue to be rejected or ignored by California legislators but are achieving support from cities around California. Culver City has already put the ferret issue on their city council agenda and ferret lovers are next set to ask the Encinitas city council.

Now that we have this proclamation we are set to ask cities around California to adopt the ferret friendly resolution.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pat Wright
LegalizeFerrets.org
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
619-757-7426

Mayor Mark Arapostathis and all members of the La Mesa City Council issued a proclamation on November 9 urging the California State Legislature to pass ferret legalization legislation, non-profit Legalize Ferrets announced today.

Related link: http://www.legalizeferrets.org/

Ferret Owners Hopeful as California Fish and Game Commission Consider Issuing Permits for Ferrets

LA MESA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Legalize Ferrets, a California organization that continues to advocate for ferret legalization in the state, has a watchful eye on The California Fish and Game Commission this month. Why? The commission is set to consider issuing permits for ferrets during its April 26, 2017 meeting in Van Nuys, Calif.

Currently, ferrets are legal in 48 states - California and Hawaii are the exceptions. But ferret lovers are hopeful that California is ready to join the ranks.

"Previously, the commission rejected a proposal to remove ferrets from the prohibited species list," Pat Wright of LegalizeFerrets.org says. "It said doing so would remove ferrets from its jurisdiction and that ferrets could pose a threat to wildlife."

However, prior to 1985, the commission had issued permits for neutered male ferrets. So, ferret advocates countered the recent proposal rejection asking it to revisit its previous position. The commission agreed to study and hear the proposal.

California ferret lovers have submitted an open letter to the commission which highlights the commission's two objections and provides ferret advocate responses.

The commission's first objection that eliminating the ban would eliminate the commission's control is countered through a response suggesting that permitting would enable the commission to maintain their jurisdiction. Secondly, concerns over threats to wildlife are countered through letters submitted from all 50 states, and a few Canadian provinces, that report no instances of ferrets attacking or harming wildlife.

In fact, Wright shared that a ferret was recently confiscated in Arroyo Grande. It had gotten out and a neighbor turned it into local animal control.

"After a big deal and lots of tears the ferret was returned to the owner and she was given 30 days to get rid of it. This is just another example of the futility of the ferret ban," Wright says. "There's not a single documented case of feral ferrets in the United States. It's time that California ferret owners have protection from confiscations and possible euthanasia of their pets."

To read the open letter to the California Fish and Game Commission and to learn more about LegalizeFerrets.org, visit: http://www.legalizeferrets.org/.

* PHOTOS FOR MEDIA:
(1) Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0404s2p-ferrets-300dpi.jpg
(2) Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0404s2p-ferretday-300dpi.jpg

* Photo Caption: LegalizeFerrets.org is advocating to make ferrets legal in California.

Media Contact:
Pat Wright
of LegalizeFerrets.org
+1-619-757-7426
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org

Legalize Ferrets, a California organization that continues to advocate for ferret legalization in the state, has a watchful eye on The California Fish and Game Commission this month. Why? The commission is set to consider issuing permits for ferrets during its April 26, 2017 meeting in Van Nuys, Calif.