Ferret Bandito
April 5, 2006 2:10 PM Subscribe
Help me procure an illegal animal in California!
I recently moved to Orange County California from Virginia and had to leave behind a ferret with my ex-girlfriend who happened to have helped raise the little bastard with me. Anyway, now that I'm out here I was thinking about getting another one until I was informed that ferrets are illegal in the state of California.
I've done some research and found a couple of websites that list veterenarian clinics that will gladly work with ferret owners and charge the bill as though it were a regular house cat. I've also located a website that claims to list all of the California highway checkpoints that I should avoid when entering the state. And I was shocked, the other day, to find pet stores openly selling ferret food, cages, and various other little ferret accessories.
Anyhow, in doing my research I discovered that there are quite a few ferrets abandoned in the area that are sometimes found by sympathetic pet owners who keep them until they can find someone to adopt them. I was wondering if there might be a website somewhere that would allow me to get in contact with such a ferret-foster-home, or should I just plan on making the drive to Arizona to pick up one at a pet store?
I recently moved to Orange County California from Virginia and had to leave behind a ferret with my ex-girlfriend who happened to have helped raise the little bastard with me. Anyway, now that I'm out here I was thinking about getting another one until I was informed that ferrets are illegal in the state of California.
I've done some research and found a couple of websites that list veterenarian clinics that will gladly work with ferret owners and charge the bill as though it were a regular house cat. I've also located a website that claims to list all of the California highway checkpoints that I should avoid when entering the state. And I was shocked, the other day, to find pet stores openly selling ferret food, cages, and various other little ferret accessories.
Anyhow, in doing my research I discovered that there are quite a few ferrets abandoned in the area that are sometimes found by sympathetic pet owners who keep them until they can find someone to adopt them. I was wondering if there might be a website somewhere that would allow me to get in contact with such a ferret-foster-home, or should I just plan on making the drive to Arizona to pick up one at a pet store?
This post was deleted for the following reason: Probably not a good idea to ask for tips on smuggling and law breaking in this public forum.
What's more, don't ask questions on the internet about breaking the law while having your public information easily accessible.
posted by unixrat at 2:29 PM on April 5, 2006
posted by unixrat at 2:29 PM on April 5, 2006
And, uh, why again are ferrets illegal in California? Seems a mighty odd law to me, which just might explain the OP's findings of blatant disregard for it.
posted by cyrusdogstar at 2:29 PM on April 5, 2006
posted by cyrusdogstar at 2:29 PM on April 5, 2006
Contact these people. They can probably help you out or at least hook you up with good information. (Check out their links page too.)
(The CA department of Fish & Game apparently believes that ferrets will turn feral and decimate local wildlife and agriculture, or something along those lines; it's been a few years since I've been involved with Ferret People.)
posted by Gator at 2:38 PM on April 5, 2006
(The CA department of Fish & Game apparently believes that ferrets will turn feral and decimate local wildlife and agriculture, or something along those lines; it's been a few years since I've been involved with Ferret People.)
posted by Gator at 2:38 PM on April 5, 2006
Would you all be complaining if someone in China came here asking for ways to circumvent their country's censorship laws?
I'd find it hard to believe you'd have trouble bringing a ferret across. The chances of getting stopped are reasonably low, and ignorance of this law would be extremely common I'd imagine (although of course, it could mean you have to take the ferret back)
posted by wackybrit at 2:38 PM on April 5, 2006
I'd find it hard to believe you'd have trouble bringing a ferret across. The chances of getting stopped are reasonably low, and ignorance of this law would be extremely common I'd imagine (although of course, it could mean you have to take the ferret back)
posted by wackybrit at 2:38 PM on April 5, 2006
unixrat writes "What's more, don't ask questions on the internet about breaking the law while having your public information easily accessible."
Yeah, the ferret police might come after you. You know, they have a bank of supercomputers scanning the internet for malefactors seeking to break ferret laws. One night, your doors will be busted down and the ferret SWAT team will come rushing into your apartment. They'll force you to the floor, the muzzle of a rifle against the back of your head, and they'll tear the place apart looking for ferrets. And even if you don't have one, they might plant one on you. You know how corrupt those ferret cops are.
You could always work for legalization through legitimate political organizations.
I assume you've seen this website? Why not send an email to the president of the organization "volunteering" to "foster" some "rescue animals"?
posted by mr_roboto at 2:42 PM on April 5, 2006
Yeah, the ferret police might come after you. You know, they have a bank of supercomputers scanning the internet for malefactors seeking to break ferret laws. One night, your doors will be busted down and the ferret SWAT team will come rushing into your apartment. They'll force you to the floor, the muzzle of a rifle against the back of your head, and they'll tear the place apart looking for ferrets. And even if you don't have one, they might plant one on you. You know how corrupt those ferret cops are.
You could always work for legalization through legitimate political organizations.
I assume you've seen this website? Why not send an email to the president of the organization "volunteering" to "foster" some "rescue animals"?
posted by mr_roboto at 2:42 PM on April 5, 2006
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret#Ferrets_as_pests
Ferrets are evil conspirators trying world domination. They've got New Zealand, and are out for the world.
And poster, for your own sake, when you ask for ways to break the law, at least do it as anonymous (Matt could be subpoenaed for your identity anyway, but you don't need to make it _that_ easy).
posted by qvantamon at 2:43 PM on April 5, 2006
Ferrets are evil conspirators trying world domination. They've got New Zealand, and are out for the world.
And poster, for your own sake, when you ask for ways to break the law, at least do it as anonymous (Matt could be subpoenaed for your identity anyway, but you don't need to make it _that_ easy).
posted by qvantamon at 2:43 PM on April 5, 2006
The minks are running amok in England. Probably a reason why they're illegal.
posted by lunkfish at 2:51 PM on April 5, 2006
posted by lunkfish at 2:51 PM on April 5, 2006
However, CA is the only state in the continental U.S. that thinks these domesticated animals are likely to pose such a risk.
posted by Gator at 2:51 PM on April 5, 2006
posted by Gator at 2:51 PM on April 5, 2006
These folks might be of some help, as well.
Also, just google "California ferret rescue" and you'll get lots more leads.
posted by Gamblor at 3:17 PM on April 5, 2006
Also, just google "California ferret rescue" and you'll get lots more leads.
posted by Gamblor at 3:17 PM on April 5, 2006
I would avoid the more traditional smuggling method of stuffing your contraband into a large condom, swallowing it, and then taking laxatives upon arrival. Because we're dealing with a ferret.
Instead, please seek out some ferret organizations.
posted by horsewithnoname at 3:33 PM on April 5, 2006
Instead, please seek out some ferret organizations.
posted by horsewithnoname at 3:33 PM on April 5, 2006
California's position on ferrets is insane. However, I would not try to bring a ferret into the state - the Department of Fish and Game can and will confiscate the ferret, if it's found, and they don't just look at the checkpoints. I've heard that some parts of the state are much safer than others, but personally I won't even consider moving there because of this.
posted by dilettante at 3:38 PM on April 5, 2006
posted by dilettante at 3:38 PM on April 5, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jerseygirl at 2:27 PM on April 5, 2006