California is known to have some of the toughest laws regarding exotic pets.The only other place whose laws are more restrictive is Hawaii. Something known as California’s fish and game code has made it a demeanor to keep a wild animal as a pet that is an endangered species or one that the department sees as a public health threat.Ferrets are a part of the biological family called Mustelids, which also includes animals like weasels, otters, mink, and polecats. These species of ferrets were originally domesticated for the purpose of vermin control. However, they are now quite popular for being kept as pets which is legally allowed in parts or all states except for California and Hawaii. There was a lot of intense lobbying done to legalize ferrets as pets in California, but you can’t keep one as a pet without a permit. Though this was disputed amongst Californians who are ferret lovers, the California Department of Fish of Wildlife is seen to take the position that abandoned or escaped pets pose a significant risk for California’s rare native animals and birds. You need to obtain a permit to own a ferret in California which will require you to pay a $100 one-time license fee. Why else are ferrets illegal in California? Read this article to know why ferrets are illegal in California, then take a look at can ferrets eat cat food and are ferrets nocturnal?Why are ferrets illegal in California?Although ferrets have become quite popular as pets in the US, ferrets in California and a few other states remain illegal. One concern for keeping a ferret as a pet is that the ferret pet owner may release this species to the wild. Another reason is that these pets could escape and go on to establish colonies in the wild. Furthermore, if growth of colonies of feral animals occurs, it can jeopardize other animals and crops. In order to protect the position of wildlife and agriculture, ferrets are illegal to be kept as pets in California and a few other states.A ban was established by the California National Resources Agency which also includes the Department of Fish and Wildlife. This ban is on numerous kinds of exotic pets, including ferrets. This ban further includes a bunch of non-native species that the state considers to be a threat to agriculture, public health and safety, natural resources, and wildlife. Apart from this, California is also known to prohibit the possession of animals that are protected in some other region or endangered. In Australia, sugar gliders are a protected species, which are known to be banned in California. Furthermore, this state has not only banned ferrets but many more species including monkeys, gerbils, prairie dogs, parakeets, squirrels, rabbits, crocodiles, tortoises, larks, armadillos, sloths, anteaters, giant toads, cuckoo birds, and hedgehogs. The main reason that California has banned ferrets and other exotic animals is because of the climate in California. This is why most of the other states have put no such ban on keeping ferrets as pets. Species like ferrets would thrive in the wild in the environment provided in California. However, this increases the threat to crops and native species.How did the ban begin?Back in 1976, it was said that the commission had decided to adopt regulations around issuing a permit for ferrets. However, this permit could only be used for neutered male ferrets, for use in science or research in public health by prestigious scientific institutions, for use in zoos, and for use in public displays in exhibitions and in motion television and pictures. During the late ’70s, the Department of Food and Agriculture border check stations had begun to detect illegally imported ferrets. In 1980, the commission had received a number of requests to possess a ferret.Furthermore, in testimony that was held before the commission, the department had reported that there were a number of non-neutered ferrets that were seen to be possessed by people living in California. While there were regulations provided for the importance of a neutered male ferret, there was no importance given for a female spayed ferret. Therefore, the department was asked to develop a proposal in order to resolve the matter. On March 7th of 1980, this proposal was presented by the department regarding the possession and importance of female spayed ferrets. The commission then approved the issuance permits. In 1982, there were several reports of an increase in ferrets that were intercepted in the agricultural inspection section. There were also numerous people found to illegally breed ferrets in California. It had reached a drastic point where two wardens were found to be assaulted in a case that involved illegal ferret breeding. The Fish and Game Department then established the policy to deny issuance of permits for all residents of California. This policy was in regards to those who possessed or imported neutered males of prohibited animals, which included ferrets. Permits like this could only be issued if someone moved to California and were already in possession of such pets.What is the fine for having a ferret in California?There are a lot of consequences for owning a ferret illegally in California. It can get a person charged with a misdemeanor, $1,000 in fines, and up to six months in jail. In the United States currently, ferrets are known to be illegal in Hawaii and California. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife had mentioned that animals like ferrets that are seen to be legal in other states remain illegal in California. They recognize a variety of reasons for this law like protecting public health and safety, wildlife, agriculture, and natural resources.In Culver City, there is a woman who is leading the fight for the legalization of ferrets as pets. Her name is Megan Mitchell and she is a long-time owner of pet ferrets of her own. She considers these ferrets she owns to be a part of a family, like how most people feel about their dogs and cats. She also mentioned how pet ferrets are very social animals and love to play with their owners. Her fight for legalizing ferrets as pets, however, isn’t a new one. In fact, ferret legalization advocates have been fighting this battle against Californian officials for almost three decades. Mitchell also mentioned how people might think that these animals are just ferrets, but one can have the same bond with them like a bond with a cat or a dog. Furthermore, she founded a group called Angel City Ferret Club in 2015, which was a southern Californian-based group for advocating the legalization of domesticated pet ferrets for ferret owners. She believes that garnering support from local cities and starting small is a great way to go about this process of legalizing ferrets.What states are ferrets illegal in?There are many arguments on why domesticated ferrets are banned to be kept as pets. These include a lot of concerns around aggression and biting. It also revolves around the colonization of a ferret if these wild animals run away, which can be a threat to the native wildlife present. Apart from these, they are also known to be quite high-maintenance pets and it could feel like you have a toddler as a pet. If these animals are not taken care of properly and aren’t given enough room for them to properly habitat with a lot of enrichment and bedding, these domesticated ferrets can become quite destructive.Ferrets are well-known for easily reverting to their feral stage and it can make them a potential carrier for rabies. These animals are completely illegal in the two states of California and Hawaii. In the remaining 48 states, these wild animals are completely legal but there are also a bunch of local laws which differ from city to city. A city can choose to either provide a stricter law or follow the state guidelines. Washington D.C. and New York City decided to act upon this and completely ban ferrets from their cities. Now, Hawaii; New York; Washington, D.C.; and finally California have banned ferrets. Furthermore, in states where ferrets aren’t completely illegal, there are still some rules that need to be followed. You are required to have a license to have one as a pet and also follow certain requirements before buying one. If these requirements aren’t met, then you won’t be allowed to own a ferret.What ferret bans are enforced in other states?Like we have discussed so far, ferrets and other exotic animals are illegal to transport, import, sell, or be kept at home as a house pet unless the pet owner has a permit from the California Department of Fish and Game. However, these permits aren’t issued for home possession and are only available for special circumstances. These circumstances for which this is allowed are for medical research or to take rescued or confiscated ferrets out of the state. In the state of Hawaii, these animals are banned due to the fact that they could revert to their feral state or even be a potential carrier for rabies.Hawaii is also known to be the only state that is free from this deadly disease. If a person is found to house a ferret, they can get a fine of up to $200,000. In Washington, D.C., ferrets are said to be technically illegal to keep as house pets. They have a housing code that lists animals they are allowed to keep in their homes. Cats, dogs, and rabbits are some of them. Residents may, however, obtain a permit to keep a ferret. New York City is another place where ferrets aren’t allowed to be kept. These laws are present in all five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. However, in the rest of the state, it is legal but rabies vaccinations are mandated.Why can you still buy products for ferrets in California?Products for this wild animal are still sold in California for the reason that they can be used for the care of other animals. The 2nd of April is considered to be National Ferret Day, but there won’t be much of a celebration for them in California.There have been various misconceptions and myths revolving around ferrets and how they tend to be a threat to the environment. Ferrets have been domesticated for a while now, providing companionship and rodent control. These animals are quite distinct from wild ferrets and their related species. These animals are legal almost everywhere and there have been no problems with domesticated ferrets anywhere.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are ferrets illegal in California then take a look at are ferrets rodents, or ferret facts.
California is known to have some of the toughest laws regarding exotic pets.
