California Ferret

Legalize Ferrets in front of the California Department of Fish and Game,...

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:46:00 +0000

Santee PetSmart Last Minute Signature Gathering

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:37:00 +0000

January 13th, 2010

We REALLY Need Help This Weekend – Last Minute Signature Gathering Effort
I apologize for sending out three emails in three days on this subject – but we’re making progress with our signature gathering effort this weekend in front of the Santee PetSmart-

We will be there from 9 to 5 both Saturday and Sunday. The goal is to get 500 signatures asking 77th District Assemblyman Brian Jones to sponsor a ferret legalization bill. The bill has to be introduced by January 28th or we are out of luck for another year. We’ve worked really hard to find a sponsor without any luck so far.

Santee PetSmart
9896 Mission Gorge Rd
Santee, CA 92071

We’re hoping this show of grassroots support will convince him to do it. We were able to borrow this ferret costume and he or she will be holding a sign:

We’ll have a table and chairs, I’ve got lots of clipboards, literature, I’ll bring the calendars, Jami is going to try to bring balloons. I’m hoping it will be festive. Feel free to make your own signs and bring them.

Ideally, we’d like at least three people there at a time – with one in the ferret costume. Are there any hams among us? (you need to be on the smaller side to fit into the costume – how about drafting your kids?)

If we can fill up the schedule – so far with only two people (?!) I’ll invite the media and see if we can get some press coverage. I wouldn’t be surprised if a TV station or newspaper covered the event. That will really drive the message to Assemblyman Brian Jones.
Can you spare an hour or two this weekend? For the little guy?!

Please call me and take a slot.
Pat Wright
619-303-0645
cell – 619-757-7426

Legalize Ferrets Request to California Fish and Game Commission, Dec 16,...

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:22:00 +0000

My Email to Assemblyman Brian Jones

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:13:00 +0000

I just sent this out, has some good points for people when they contact their representative.

Hi Gail –

Thank you for taking my call and your hospitality. Boy there is a lot of information below! So I better ask at the top – we are requesting a meeting with Assemblyman Jones on the ferret issue. The 77th Assembly District is probably one of the top three in terms of the ferret population.

Briefly, we’ve been fighting the ferret ban for twenty years. In 2000 the Fish and Game Commission said we needed an EIR before they would even consider the issue.

As an aside, it is interesting the city of San Diego demanded an EIR from Walmart super centers as a way to keep those giant Walmarts out of San Diego.

In September our preliminary EIR was completed. It is online at http://ferretsanon.com/EIR/Final_Report.pdf The Fish and Game Commission has not yet reacted to it, except for President Jim Kellogg saying ferret owners are breaking the law and need to be punished. (we’re putting that on YouTube.)

Another note – I just got a phone call from a man who bought his girl friend two ferrets. The girl friend is in a nasty child custody dispute. The ex already complained about their dog, now they have to get the ferrets out of the house.

The report basically discusses the arguments against ferret legalization:

• Ferrets Will Go Feral
All of the ideal conditions for establishment of a feral ferret population have not yet been met in California: a moderate climate, a superabundance of preferred prey, a community devoid of competitors and predators, and repeated introductions of large founder populations. (page 63)

• Ferrets As a Treat to Agriculture
The literature documents that ferrets may have impacted European poultry production, especially in the late 19th and early 20th century. The literature is largely devoid of any instances of ferrets impacting agricultural resources in the USA. USA has, for the most part, phased out household poultry and egg production and now relies almost exclusively on commercial facilities (confined animal feeding operations); these facilities may be better protected from predators than traditional domestic hen houses and coops. Questionnaires of agricultural departments in the USA has not revealed any major opposition to ferrets; where agricultural agency personnel have responded negatively to ferret legalization, their concerns focused on the risk of ferrets biting humans or on the risk of ferrets establishing feral breeding populations, and not on the impact of agricultural resources. This issue may not need to be analyzed further in the EIR. (page 95)

• Public Health Issues
The medical community and various State agencies have reversed their stance on rabies issues pertaining to ferrets, from emphatic statements in the 20th century that ferrets are not appropriate pets because of their proclivity to bite and the absence of effective vaccines, to neutral statements in the 21st century that ferrets should receive rabies vaccinations like other household pets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that currently, at least in the USA, rabies is a rare disease and is relegated largely to non-pet vectors. The vaccination of ferrets for rabies (and distemper) could be made mandatory, regardless of whether ferret ownership is legal or illegal in California. Ferrets sold after about 12 weeks of age should be vaccinated before sale. For those sold before 12 weeks of age, the new owner could be required to show proof of rabies vaccination by a certain time, such as 13 weeks of age. Every effort should be made to prevent ferrets from escaping confinement; any stray or feral ferret captured could be mandatorily held in quarantine until it is indicated that they are free of rabies. Public education and outreach should also be implemented. Provided that effective mitigation measures are incorporated into a legalization action, this potential impact upon human health could be reduced to a less-than significant level. This issue may not need to be analyzed further in the EIR. (page 100)

The Economic Impacts of the ferret ban

We know from the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council that Californians spend $5,500,000 on ferrets annually which means the state collects about $400,000 each year in sales tax revenue. How much more would be spent if ferrets were legal? I don’t think there is any accurate way to answer the question.

But – we also know that 70 to 80% of the ferrets sold in Nevada, Arizona and Oregon are intended for the California Market.

We know that Marshall Ferrets sells about 150,000 ferrets annually and they produce 70% of the ferrets in this country (back yard breeding is pretty limited for ferrets, most states where they are legal require them to be sold sterilized, and ferrets have unusually husbandry – both male and female must be in season, and intact ferrets smell too bad to be household pets)

What We Know
150,000 Marshall Ferret Production
70% Marshall Share of the Pet Ferret Market
195,000 Total Ferret Production in the USA

Californians buy 27% of the nation's ferret supplies
52,650 27% of annual ferrets sold in the USA
26,325 Reduce by half to be conservative
$ 150 Average Retail Price of a ferret
$ 3,948,750 Total retail value of ferrets sold going to California
$ 306,028.13 California sales tax at 7.75%
$ 306,028.13 Does not include cost of goods sold; cages, food, bedding, toys, etc which can be 1 to 2 x the cost of the ferret
$ 612,056.26 Lost sales tax revenue

Also, does not include lost revenue to the veterinarians. And because people are afraid to take their ferrets to the vet, vets who treat ferrets often times charge considerably more.

Bad Response From Senator Pavley

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:26:00 +0000

A member has forwarded a response from Senator Pavley regarding sponsoring a ferret legalization bill. It is not good news but perhaps it is the start of a dialogue.
________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your letter concerning legalizing ferrets in California. The last time the legislature dealt with this topic was in 2004 with Senate Bill 89. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed SB 89 (Alpert), for two reasons. First, he was concerned with the risks of ferrets living in the wild. Second, he wanted to make sure that California’s environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), were followed. CEQA requires an environmental study before state actions are taken that could have a significant effect on the environment.

Note: We sent Senator Pavley the preliminary EIR which documents why domestic ferrets cannot establish in the wild.

Current law requires an evaluation by the Department of Fish and Game. Governor Schwarzenegger made this specific point in his veto message of SB 89. To view the veto message you may visit www.sen.ca.gov and type SB 89 into the search engine.

As the chair the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, I am aware of the budget cuts that have been made at the Department of Fish and Game and the strong likelihood that this department will acquire even more cuts in the ongoing legislative session. In this economic downturn, it is unlikely that California can find funds for an environmental impact report on the effects of legalizing ferret ownership.

Note: No one asked for an EIR. The Fish and Game Commission changed their position in 2005 and created a specific policy entitled MISCELLANEOUS POLICIES
INTRODUCTION OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES which does not call for the EIR/CEQA

Thank you again for your correspondence. Please do not hesitate to contact my office for future questions or concerns, (916) 651-4023.

Thank you,

Fran Pavley
State Senator, District 23

Arnold Sucked

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:50:00 +0000

I was more than saddened by Governor Schwarzenegger's commuting the prison sentence for Esteban Nuñez's prison sentence. Here we have a murderer - someone who attacked three other people - and that is the plea Arnold heard on his way out. Oh yeah, his father was speaker of the California Assembly. That might have made a difference.

We asked Governor Schwarzenegger to commute the sentence of California ferrets. Over his 7 years as Governor we sent multiple appeals, thousands of signatures, phone calls. Not one even got an answer.

Arnold wasn't much "for little guy" but for the politically connected he came through, even at the expense of our perception of a fair and impartial government.

The point is it is hard to take this seriously. Where is the fairness and access? There hasn't been any and we all suffer.

Glad the bastard is gone. Don't buy his upcoming book.

Need to be Punished, Need to be Punished

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Yesterday was a surreal day in front of the Fish and Game Commission. I thought we did an excellent job documenting our case in asking the Commission follow their own guidelines in delisting ferrets from the prohibited species list. I did feel intimidated, I had the feeling the Commission looks down on the issue. But I did ok.

At the end, President Jim Kellogg started to talk. At first I held out hope that my facts and figures impressed him. Instead he took a bizarre turn.

He mentioned shopping at pet stores and seeing the photos of ferret supplies just like in my powerpoint presentation. Then he said "it really annoys me that they can sell that stuff in a state where ferrets are illegal."

And next was the truly bizarre part, he said "ferret owners need to be punished."

Today, one day later I'm cleaning house. It is the time of week I get to spend the most time with the ferrets. They are downstairs in forbidden territory pulling the soles out of Jim's expensive shoes. A better time could not be had.

They are healthy and happy. I worry about my eldest, Fausto. Ferrets don't live that long and Fausto is getting up there.

And darn it, I have this rap song in my head... "need to be punished, need to be punished..."

We will put Mr. Kellogg's statements up in YouTube. Perhaps we can make a rap version. Maybe we'll even go viral.

With Friends Like This in Nevada

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 01:20:00 +0000

Just arrived in my inbox regarding our Craigslist ads for Reno/Tahoe

You are being flaged because you are being an asshole. First, we Nevadans are sick and tired of you Californians and your ferret drama.

We are sick of groups like yours encouraging people to illegally obtain ferrets from other states and we are sick of our shelters being full because you people break the law. The rescue groups here have plenty to do on their own without being asked to rescue the animals you people keep illegally.

Is the Reno CL for SOME Californians as well? Yes it is, but it is also full of people like me who are sick of your group's name being quoted when we are contacted by some Californian wanting to adopt and put at risk one of our pets.

And guess what? I happen to be a ferret owner, a ferret foster for a rescue group and I happen to know they are not capable of survving in the wild. I am flagging you for being an asshat and encouraging others to break the law.

Johnnie Lohmann
lohmann.johnnie@gmail.com

Fish and Game has been Helpful

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:42:00 +0000

OMG, I have to give credit where credit is due and say the Fish and Game Commission has been helpful as we try to move the initial study into a request for the EIR.

Jon Fischer, the acting director of the Fish and Game Commission has been slipping me a little insight. At first I thought he flatly rejected the study but as I learn more I see his initial comments had merit.

The whole process is ridiculous, no other animal has ever required this process.

But Mr. Fischer has told me what to avoid, that the Sierra Club looks for error in procedure, not facts, and that could sink us.

And it has been extremely hard to find someone to guide us throught the buracracy.

I did get a little help from a friend of mine who is an urban planner. I'm not a CEQA expert but I know a lot more than I did.

And it appears I over reacted to the intial disaproval of the report from Fish and Game. I wasn't elected to this post you know... what I lack in knowledge I try to make up for in determination, not always the best formula. But we are going to wrap this up and get these little guys legalized.

Vimeo is much better than YouTube

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 16:58:00 +0000

Youtube has always been great - so many videos to waste time with. Hopefully people will find our one, little video.

But I wanted to put up our other videos. There is a video of Dr Graening at a LegalizeFerrets Revival in 2008 before he started the research project.

And one of Dr Gandofli at the 2010 Legalize Ferrets Revival explaining Adrenal disease and ways to prevent it.

All our videos can be found at http://vimeo.com/user5155833

The Official Request Has Been Made

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:24:00 +0000

To Acting Fish and Game Commissioner Jon Fischer

Hello Mr. Fischer –

I called the Fish and Game Commission this morning asking if there was a procedure to request an item be placed on the agenda.

Please consider this the official request.

Based on the April 6th, 2000 meeting, where according to the report submitted by Dr Graening:

The California Fish and Game Commission, As explained at the meeting, a regulatory action by the Commission is considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires the preparation of an environmental document. Therefore, at the conclusion of the public testimony, the Commission directed the Californians for Ferret Legalization, as project proponents, to fund the preparation of the environmental document to assess the potential impact to the environment of this proposed action. The Commission would not be in a position to again consider this matter until such environmental document were prepared.

Since the Document has been prepared and submitted, we are asking the Commission again consider the issue of ferret legalization.

Pat Wright
cell: 619-757-7426
fax: 619-303-0645
pat@pan.sdcoxmail.com

Pat Wright, owner and organizer of LegalizeFerrets.org

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:16:00 +0000

Pat Wright, owner and organizer of LegalizeFerrets.org

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 04:37:00 +0000

October 27th, 2010

News from LegalizeFerrets.org
For Immediate Release

Governor Calls for Environmental Impact Report Prior to Legalizing Ferrets
Fish and Game Commission Ignores Our Request to Get Started After Preliminary Report Submitted

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has answered the first batch of letters from a letter writing and petition campaign organized by LegalizeFerrets.org with his standard answer:

“So far, no one has completed a study that proves that these little animals would be good, safe pets, and the California Environmental Quality Act requires that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) be conducted first. An EIR evaluates the proposed project's impact on the environment. Until an EIR is conducted on the effects that ferrets have on the environment, it would be inappropriate to legalize ferrets as pets here in California.”

LegalizeFerrets.org has on two occasions Express Mailed a copy of our pre-Environmental Impact Report to Governor Schwarzenegger, posted on line at http://ferretsanon.com/EIR/Final_Report.pdf. His staff has been unable to confirm delivery even though we have a proof of delivery.

Even more frustrating is the position of the California Fish and Game Commission where acting Director Jon Fischer promptly labeled the report “missing the mark” and that it lacked scoping. Scoping is not included in the initial report.

We commissioned the “Initial Study” and are now asking the California Fish and Game Commission to file the “Notice of Preparation.” After more than two weeks we have not received an answer and we are consulting with an attorney.

Furthermore – from the Fish and Game Commission Meeting:

April 6, 2000. The California Fish and Game Commission, As explained at the meeting, a regulatory action by the Commission is considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires the preparation of an environmental document. Therefore, at the conclusion of the public testimony, the Commission directed the Californians for Ferret Legalization, as project proponents, to fund the preparation of the environmental document to assess the potential impact to the environment of this proposed action. The Commission would not be in a position to again consider this matter until such environmental document were prepared.

We try to comply with their demands and as we near them they ignore us. Ferrets are legal in 48 states; no other state has required any environmental studies. We are working to comply but they have so far closed the doors on conducting an EIR.

For more information please contact Pat Wright at 619-303-0645 or cell 619-757-7426

If you do not wish to receive further emails from us, please let us know and we will promptly remove you from our press distribution list.

Time to be Tough

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:42:00 +0000

A lot of good things have happened. The LegalizeFerrets Revival was a great success. The video is out. Most of our bills are paid.

Still damn mad that no one in our state government has given me a call back, much less a answer. How is it we can produce our current environmental study, ask how to start the EIR process and be rejected with four words "it misses the mark" by Fish and Game Acting Director Jon Fischer?

Not feeling proud to be a Californian - but because the truth is with us - we are going to win this one.

Here is our video - please pass it around.

Anyone Who Thinks We Live in a Free Country Hasn't Dealt With California Fish and Game

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:10:00 +0000

It's been two days since Jon Fischer, acting director of the California Fish and Game Commission dismissed the Sacramento State University report on ferrets as "missing the mark."

Several calls to Dale Steele at the Department of Fish and Game have not been returned. I'll try calling him from a different phone today in case he has flagged my cell phone.

To me it is simply inconceivable they would be allowed to block an effort without due process. It does sicken me to hear people say "we live in the greatest nation on earth..." because if you keep saying that you can't question it.

A free country would respect your rights. If something is not right there would be a way to challenge it.

If this were going on just awhile I'd be more patient, but 20+ years trying to legalize ferrets. Truly ridiculous. Good thing Fausto loves me so much. Wish I could take him outside.

Sick Feeling and the lack of Due Process

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:27:00 +0000

I have had a sick feeling since speaking to Jon Fischer from the Department of Fish and Game. I didn't realize until later that he is the acting director of the Fish and Game Commission.

Mr. Fischer dismissed our extensive survey, our Pre-EIR document as "missing the mark."

Not surprising, anything report that doesn't mention ferrets killing human babies and "free roaming" ferrets attacking endangered species is not going to fly with the Fish and Game Commission.

What really bothers me is lack of due process. Due process is so fundamental to a people's freedom. With three words Mr. Fischer is trying to deny us our due process.

Well, that isn't going to fly.

But I really wish I lived in a state where the fight for our rights, going on 25 years and still unsucessful, didn't consume so much time and money.

Not only are we financially poorer, we're less free. This has got to end - and it's going to end. I just wish it were sooner rather than later.

It is past time ferrets were legal in California!

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:01:00 +0000

Legalizing pet ferrets affects hundreds of thousands of Californians, even though many citizens may be unfamiliar with the State’s 77-year-old ferret ban. The California Veterinary Medical Association has long agreed that pet ferrets should be legal. State legislators agreed six years ago. But the Governor blocked ferret legalization, when he vetoed the Ferret Amnesty Bill (9/30/2004). Schwarzenegger said: “I love ferrets. I co-starred with a ferret in Kindergarten Cop. However, this bill is too bureaucratic and it legalizes ferrets prior to conducting an environmental impact report.”

The requested Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is nearly complete, and the evidence clear. Leading SSU researcher, G. O. Graening PhD, reports: “None of the questionnaires, [which were sent to] every wildlife agency, health department, and agricultural department in the 50 US states and Canadian Provinces, received to date have documented the establishment of any feral breeding populations, or negative interactions with wildlife, or significant impacts on human health or safety.”

The political climate surrounding ferret legalization puts the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) at center stage. The DFG has gone to great lengths to resist ferret legalization, by identifying domestic ferrets as “wild animals.” That’s like saying your Yorkie dog is dangerous because his origins trace back to the wolf family.

The DFG has gone so far as to invent a subgroup of ferrets that do not even exist, which they call: “Free-roaming domestic ferrets.” According to the DFG, these “free-roaming domestic ferrets” are dangerous to poultry and infants . However, no “free-ranging domestic ferrets” have ever been documented, as confirmed by SSU’s current findings. This false logic has been perpetuated by the DFG since 1933.

Let’s face facts too: Ferrets live in the homes of over 100,000 Californians. California’s vets are allowed by law to treat pet ferrets. However, the climate of illegality undermines access to proper care.

Castro Valley Vet Rene' C. Gandolfi said: “I have been treating ferrets here in California for over twenty years. In that time I’ve seen all sorts of problems resulting from the ban on ownership.” Ferret owners delay treatment or must travel vast distances to get veterinary help, according to Gandolfi. “I’ve seen pet owners traveling hundreds of miles to find a veterinarian who was willing to see them. In a couple of severe emergency cases , ferret owners had to make hour long trips to see us because they couldn’t be seen at a vet closer to home. That’s like making a human drive to Sacramento to get to the ER after having a heart attack in San Francisco.”
Gandolfi explains why the CVMA backs ferret legalization: “It is bad medicine and bad public health policy to have a pet species that isn’t receiving regular and competent veterinary care.”
Gandolfi dismissed suggestions that ferrets are dangerous to humans: “For over two decades we have been providing veterinary medical and surgical services for ferret owners. I have yet to meet a ferret that I felt posed a significant danger to any humans who might handle it. I have often told my staff that I am more concerned about being bitten by a hamster than by a ferret.” Gandolfi explained that the dangers he sees are not due to ferrets, but to the fearful and unsafe legal climate. Ferret owners are “constantly worried that their cherished companion will be confiscated.”

Inadequate access to medical care stands at odds with the reality of widespread ferret ownership in California. A leading pet industry trade group confirms that 27% of the nation’s ferret supplies are purchased in California.

Owning ferrets is legal in 48 other states. Veterinarians, scientists, elected officials and pet owners have effectively advocated for legalizing ferret ownership. The Governor’s questions have been answered by the EIR. Encourage the Governor and your representatives to support the Ferret Amnesty Bill, and enable sound scientific reason to trump politics once and for all in the ferret debate. Ferret owners have waited long enough: its past time to overturn the 1933 ferret ban.

It is past time ferrets were legal in California!

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:58:00 +0000

Should I Keep This Blog?

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:21:00 +0000

Between Facebook and Twitter, blogging seems kind of outdated. But there are things going on and perhaps I should keep this blog post active.

More news on the EIR, or what to do with the EIR was discovered yesterday. I hate to tease but basically what we've discovered is that the only way to legalize ferrets is through the legislature. It is so hard to get things done in California - no wonder we are a mess.

Full details will be in Sunday's CLIFFNotes - the subscription (free, by the way) is at http://www.ferretsanon.com/CLIFFNotesSignUp.php

We Don't Get A Lot Done On Saturday Mornings

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Saturday mornings are kind of leisurely. I put the laundry away, clean the aquarium and I do it all with the help of my dog Shorty (the Corgi) and ferrets Fausto and Quito.

The ferrets live downstairs and I feel bad that they are isolated most of the time. But Saturday mornings I take my time and appreciate their help. Of course it takes a lot longer that way.

Pictured on the couch is my very shy dog Blue (she just got a Summer haircut) who just hopes the ferrets will leave her alone.

Thank God It's Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:10:00 +0000

Only a few days things seemed discouraging. Well, they still are but how can anyone be gloomy when this photo arrives in your inbox?

That's my Fausto, fat, healthy and happy. This was a photo by Jamie K done last week at our calendar ferret shoot. The best ferret event I've ever been to. Too bad so many people missed it. I can't wait to see the other photos.

I'm also happy to report that Quito is doing well. He hasn't been on duck soup for a few days now. I actually saw him eat more than one kibble. (He had a hairball removed a couple of weeks ago.)

Any my Golden Retriever Bear seems to be doing better. We spent $1500 on vet bills for him two months ago but never got a diagnosis. He started to limp again. There is no money for vets but I gave him some metacam and he is back to his old self. I wish they made metacam for people.

And then there is the California EDD. Somewhere in a dark ivory tower there are people plotting how to make other's lives miserable. They sent me a notice that my claim has been denied. A lot of text, and then at the bottom of the page is a little check box - "this doesn't effect continued claims." So basically they are denying a claim I didn't make and I can continue to be one of California's long term unemployed.

The state does handle all its issues the way it handles the ferret issue and that is why we are up that creek without a paddle.

A Big Thank You to Harley D - And I Know Who You Are

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:19:00 +0000

A check made out to me arrived at the Ferrets Anonymous (San Diego PO Box) with a note. "You are always passing on other's dilemmas... this is for Quito."

Quito had a hairball and required surgery. As I mark one year of unemployment, two months until we are foreclosed upon, unemployment insurance delayed because I declared $254 of self-employment... it was a boost.

The letter was from Harley, Phoebe and Stella.

Here's Haley's baby photo, so cute I kept it (above). I know Haley had his own surgery, too (I'm on Twitter)

I did manage to get Quito's surgery done on credit. It will be paid off shortly. Thank you Dr Jenkins and Crew!

Saturday mornings is my time to do laundry. Quito, Fausto and my corgi Shorty like to help. It takes a lot longer to get things done. But it was nice having Quito participate in the effort. I like having him be himself. Popping out of a drawer in the laundry room he nearly gave me a heart attack - so welcome back Quito.

But really things aren't so bad at my house. We do have the funds in the bank for that evil National City Mortgage. We've learned that loan modification is a fraud. It was explained to us that Obama is covering the bank's loans - not the borrowers, so mortgage companies don't have much reason to make any deals.

I thought I was fired for being gay at my last company. But they have since fired everyone over 45 - so I would have been fired shortly thereafter anyway.

I'm trying to launch my own company. I'd much rather have a regular pay check, those were the days! But I think of all the horrible bosses I've had (and I could write a book) and perhaps this is the best case.

But life is so full of stress. Now our Golden Retriever Bear is limping again. When we got Bear nearly six years ago I kept hearing horror stories of this breed dying from bone cancer. Even the dog in "Air Bud" died from bone cancer that year. Perhaps it is my unreasonable fear but I'd rather be able to order all the tests - though there isn't much one can do if it came out positive.

God these pets are expensive. The next pet in this house is getting pet insurance. But no new pets until things get financially resolved.

Then it is my fantasy to go to Las Vegas and get two baby ferrets! How fun!

Ferrets Are For Worrying

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:53:00 +0000

We stole the slogan "Ferrets Are More Fun" several years ago and created new artwork. Truth be told, ferrets are more worry would be a more accurate slogan.

I only have two ferrets. These are really bad economic times, I'm scared to death of another vet bill.

Fausto has had heliobactor infections three times. Today he's back to his fat self.

But I picked up Quito the other day and noticed how skinny he is. By nature he is a skinny ferret, but this was an unhealthy skinny.

When I was medicating Fausto, hiding his medicine in duck soup, Quito always wanted some. So I made an unmedicated batch for Quito.

Quito apparently decided he didn't want to eat regular ferret food anymore.

I considered switching them from Marshall Pet Products brand to the Totally Ferret turkey brand, so they have a mix of both foods. I can't tell which they prefer, but Fausto is doing well on it.

But Quito will only eat the Marshall's brand of duck soup. So I'm putting down as much as I can. And he eats it like white trash at the Home Town Buffet. I've put a little weight on him.

He still has a lot of energy - but I worry.

To Be Secretive Or Not

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:16:00 +0000

I just read an article online at http://www.queerty.com/californias-poll-4-equality-results-are-in-no-you-still-cant-see-them-yet-20090603/ and it sure reminds me of our issue.

I am a strong proponent to repeal Prop 8 but certainly not a decision maker in the process. There are people unhappy about the strategy to repeal Prop 8 cloaked in secrecy, just as some people want the strategy to legalize ferrets to be secretive.

It leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling that people in leadership positions think so little of the rank and file. While not everything needs to be broadcast, secrecy is a sure killer of any grassroots effort.

That's why I put our ferret legalization in the spotlight. Let the whole world see what we are doing. Ferret legalization is not rocket science and the more people who know about it the better.

Than again, no one is running commercials about "A Storm is Gathering - Ferret Legalization Hurts Me."

Where is Ferret Legalization at Ferrets Anonymous?

noreply@blogger.com (Pat Wright) — Sat, 09 May 2009 15:56:00 +0000

I'm a big fan of Lance M, President of Ferrets Anonymous. I think we have a number of disagreements. A quality person allows for disagreements, even invites them.

So I have to wonder, where is the ferret legalization effort at Ferrets Anonymous?

The latest issue of the PawPrint mentions what's ahead for FA:

So what’s coming for Ferrets Anonymous in 2009? Besides exciting new chapters cropping up in California’s central counties and elsewhere, and our bylaw updates - we have Laryssa N., who is knowledgeable about MySQL databases, who will be working with our existing website designer, Daphne B. from Maryland, who is responsible for the look and feel of www.ferretsanonymous.org, when she’s not working on Olympic figure skating websites. The website will be a primary focus to continue building and keeping in top shape to serve the needs of all ferret aficionados throughout California, as well as those looking to relocate to the Golden State (even though the “Gold” has been tarnished because of the ferret ban). I’m very much looking forward to seeing much accomplished this year with the FA Board, even with our slow start, as well as with the website, and increasing interaction amongst FA chapters.

I appreciate the organizational efforts but what about a goal? What is the purpose?

There is a lot of work to running an organization. It is impossible to do everything that needs to get done. Throw in rescues and it gets worse.

But I would like to see more focus on the actual legalization of ferrets in California.