I'm allergic to ferrets so I would never own one but I have to ask...What's the big deal? This is one of the most interesting forums I've read in a while. My former neighbors owned ferrets ( they recently moved, with their ferrets, to California)and although I did not see the affection given as one may get from a dog or cat, but these guys were hilarious! They were cute and a laugh a minute. I don't understand the problem with ownership. "Many ferrets are
trained by their owners as househunters or rabbit hunters, and are therefore skilled at predating on other species" This quote from the Sierra Club really has me puzzled. People really do that? "Ferrets are commonly found surviving in the wild, including in southeast Alaska in the middle of winter. From 1985 to 1996, 58 stray ferrets were turned into a DFG facility in Rancho Cordova." 58 in 11 years? Wow! There was a wild pack of dogs (with puppies) living across from a park near my home. No ban on dogs. From what I understand ferrets have been domesticated for over 2000 years. When domesticated they can't survive in the wild, therefore there is no fear of forming packs or becoming feral. There's a vaccine available against rabies, and there are MANY animals that can pass diseases to humans. There are MANY animals that can attack and even kill humans. NYC banned them in '99, I don't know why, heaven forbid they get loose and "ferret" out all the rats. Are they afraid of rat/ferrets wars? I'm being sarcastic here but I really would like to know why ferrets would be banned anywhere. Why not ban snakes like Boas and Pythons? Please, I very interested in this subject and I would like to know (understand)what the problem with Ferrets is.

Oh yeah, for MaryMary: Wet dogs eventually dry.




[This message has been edited by Genia (edited February 07, 2001).]