Ferrets have become a popular choice of pet in the United States, next to cats and dogs. In the U.S., ferrets sold at pet stores are descented by surgically removing the anal glands. Ferrets have a life span of about 10 years, with studies showing that the oldest ferret has a lifespan of 14 years. California has some of the strictest pet ownership laws in the country. The rodents arent dangerous, just weird looking, said Department of Fish and Game spokesman Andrew Hughan. District of Columbia housing law lists dogs, rabbits, cats, domesticated rodents, cats, non-poisonous snakes, turtles, turtles, fish, caged birds, and racing pigeons as the only legal animals to keep as pets. Activists in Washington, D.C, argued that despite ferrets being feral, they could not survive three days fending for themselves. In fact, if you looked at the reports closely, you would notice that ferrets were often mentioned as malnutritioned or hungry or in bad shape. This means that the majority of the attacks happen due to neglect on the owners part towards their pet. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hawaii is free from this disease, and they want to keep it that way! I am Eddie, animal journalist and founder of ThePetSavvy. Ferret keepers may be charged for transporting, handling, and storing any ferret found in their residence if they are apprehended. New York City and Washington D.C. decided to act upon that and ban ferrets completely in their cities. Theres also one formerly popular pet that you can no longer own in any US state. 6. Some of the most surprising entries include the miniature farm animals. The rules also vary by city. The cost of removing, storing, and caring for the animal, A misdemeanor criminal charge punishable by up to six months in jail, A criminal charge including a fine of up to $1,000. 7. In California, the penalty for owning a ferret is a fine that has been set at $1000 or a six months jail term in the county jail. Firstly, for an animal to catch rabies, it should go outdoors, frequently. Unlike dogs that need to be walked every day, or cats who like running around the neighborhood, ferrets like to stay inside. Are Ferrets Aggressive? Keep from illegally importing ferrets in California, and help to inform others about the danger of having ferrets as pets. [2], LegalizeFerrets.org has a sample letter for you to use when contacting your state representatives. Despite ferrets being fun to own, there are four states that have banned citizens from owning a ferret as a pet in the United States. It is, therefore, essential to seek information that is up to date from the local government before settling on owning a ferret. Therefore, if you are in Washington, D.C., you can own a ferret without fear of breaking laws because it is legal today. Early detection and reporting are the key elements in preventing Ferrets from becoming a major problem in Queensland. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? That is why you cant own one as a pet in Maine, Hawaii, Arizona, Georgia, New York City, or California. The UK allows the legal import of ferrets under the EUs pets travel scheme. Many organizations have come ahead for the legalization of ferrets. A ferret has sharp teeth, so biting one another hard in play won't hurt them. It is illegal to sell, import, and transport ferrets in California. According to the National Environmental Management Biodiversity(NEMB), ferrets are a highly invasive species. (Note: There are approved rabies vaccinations for ferrets). They prey upon and eat whole animals in the wild. Ferrets have become common household pets in the United States, and their curious and friendly nature makes them suitable pets for many. Ferrets are illegal in the Northern Territory. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife doesnt have the resources or staff to strictly enforce its ferret bans. They are still illegal in some areas, though, such as California. Although it is legal to have a pet raccoon in. Hawaii is another state banning the ownership of ferrets. Here is a list of the others: Hawaii: Possession and transportation of ferrets in Hawaii can lead to: 3 years in prison a fine of upto $20,000 bearing all the costs of the removal and extermination of the ferret This is the other reason the Hawaii Department of Agriculture banned the importation and possession of ferrets. Why can you still buy products for ferrets in California? Here are some useful legal basis you will need to know before owning a ferret. These animals can also revert to their feral state, and become a carrier of rabies. Keeping ferrets is legal in NSW, but you have to follow the rules. Besides confiscation, you face the following penalties for possessing a ferret: Criminal prosecution is extremely rare. There are a few things that anyone can do to push to make ownership of ferrets legal in the Golden State. The concern is that owners may release ferrets into the wild or the pets may escape and then establish colonies in the wild. That is why ferrets are sometimes perceived as wild animals, too. By now we all know that ferrets are carnivores. They also dont deserve to be banned. Most states in the United States allow ferrets as pets, but some states have laws prohibiting ferret ownership. The board is afraid that ferrets being rabies vectors, could transmit rabies in the state. While most California residents that are caught with pet ferrets are not usually criminally prosecuted, they are many times charged with fines that can add up to costly amounts. Another thing you can do is to sign a petition for legalizing ferrets. Likewise, most states dont allow residents to own monkeys and other primates, but there are exceptions. Californias ban on certain pets includes thousands of species, online petitions to legalize ferrets, sugar gliders, you cannot sell or own turtles with shells measuring less than four inches, Department of Fish and Wildlife can issue a permit for certain species, California worries that sugar gliders will escape, Breeding and Selling Sugar Gliders | A Step-By-Step Guide, How To Care For a Tarantula 8 Useful Tips, 100+ Fun and Unique Gecko Names You Will Love, Breeding Hedgehogs Everything You Need to Know, Djungarian Hamsters Everything You Need to Know, Albino Hamsters Breed Profile, Photos and Care, Brian From OC Dumbos Tells Us What Its Like To Be a Rat Breeder, 6 Rat Breeders Show Us How They Set Up Their Rat Cages, 30+ Rat Breeders Share Their Best Tips For First-Time Rat Owners. The US banned small turtles due to the spread of salmonella. Ferrets are not currently legal to own as pets in the state of California. Can Sugar Gliders Eat Pineapples and Do They Like Them? In the case that a ferret does escape, there are high chances that they will hunt down a few animals to survive. Here is an in-depth discussion of what led to the government banning of ferrets in those states. Read her : Latest Articles Although some may argue that hand raised parrots are domesticated, not too long ago they were stolen from their tropical nests and smuggled into the the U.S and other places. Perhaps it is their appearance since they resemble weasels. This means that they eat a lot and they eat quickly. Ferrets are indeed illegal to own in California. Ferrets are legal in Georgia and Illinois, and you do not need a permit to adopt a ferret. This list includes all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves and any crossbreeds of these animals. You cannot get a permit to keep a ferret as a pet in the state. According to California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 14, Section 671- Importation, Transportation and Possession of Live Restricted Animals: It shall be unlawful to import, transport, or possess live animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under permit issued by the department. [1]. Why can't I have a hedgehog, sugar glider, ferret, or other restricted, non-native . #1 Ferrets are Considered Wild Animals and Not Domesticated. They can eat their whole prey which mostly consists of rodents, birds, chickens and kittens, etcetera. You will not be able to keep your ferret. The cops will arrest you if they see with you a ferret. You can actually get charged with a misdemeanor for owning a domestic ferret which is six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, and they can also confiscate the pet and euthanize it, Mitchell said. I am passionate about exotic pets and I dedicate my time doing research, meeting, and interviewing people working with animals. There are also many unknown questions related to natural predators and potential diseases when any non-native animal is introduced into the wild.Why is a ferret a bad pet? In California, ferrets are prohibited from being sold, imported, or transported. It is when the ferret bites hard that something is wrong. They need several hours of supervised exercise and play outside of their cage each day and can be quite mischievous and destructive. Besides confiscation, you face the following penalties for possessing a ferret: A civil fine of $500 to $10,000; The cost of removing, storing, and caring for the animal; A misdemeanor criminal charge punishable by up to six months in jail; . Find out why are hedgehogs illegal in California. While Californians who are ferret lovers are fighting hard to allow them as pets, you dont have to live in the state to be an advocate for helping to legalize ferrets in California. . The animals were well-cared for and had plenty of food, toys, and even a hammock. The state of California worries that sugar gliders will escape, establish their own colonies, and disrupt local wildlife, crops, or natural resources. Ruling the possibility of unvaccinated animals in the home out, there is only one other way ferrets can get rabies- by leaving the house. The regulations regarding ferret ownership are not as strict as the regulations in other states. Heres a video that can help further explain things. Ferrets are carnivorous by nature and rely completely on a meat-based diet. The officials do not actively search for ferrets with people, but it is a big problem. Do Ferrets Bite? Your friend, Nadine! Its a good idea to obtain new information from your local government or an animal control board. Australia has feral dogs and cats, and adding a ferret to the mix is a huge risk. Despite being dangerous, ferrets are not harmful to the environment and are not more dangerous than cats or dogs. Can You Own One? Additionally, keeping venomous snakes requires a venomous snake permit. But a few states (and countries) are slow to accept that ferrets are domestic animals. According to the Department of Conservation, ferrets (along with weasels and stoats) infiltrated the wild in New Zealand over a hundred years ago. This gives us the average estimate of a ferrets lifespan between 6 to 8 years, making them one of the long-term commitment pets to own. Yes, its true that they could eat a few small animals to stay alive, but domesticated ferrets can barely survive in the wild. Studies show that despite the efforts put in place, ferrets can only partially domesticate. California offers an environment where species like ferrets may thrive in the wild. Ferrets are not illegal here, but you have to prove to the authorities that your pet is a ferret and not a weasel. No, it is not legal to have a pet raccoon in California. Sloths have adapted to a specific environment. Supporters of the California ferret ban often use this trait to prove that ferrets can seriously threaten wildlife in the state. This comes at no extra cost to you. These restricted birds include falcons, eagles, and hawks. While that can be perfectly safe for cats and dogs, this insignificant thing can become life-threatening for ferrets. Plus, many predators can feed on ferrets in the wild such as foxes and dingos. The criminal penalties for having a ferret in California are up to 90 days in jail and/or a maximum fine of $1,000. The answer to this lies in section 2118 of the Fish and Game Code which was amended in 1974 to ban all animals in the order of Carnivora, excluding cats and dogs. A considerable amount of money would have to be spent to be able to recreate a comfortable and appropriate environment for a pet sloth. 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