The ban on keeping large dogs as pets in Chengdu has led to an unexpected fad—ferret raising.
Regulations that prohibit owners from keeping 22 breeds of large dog went into effect July 1 this year. Banned breeds include the Tibetan Mastiff, the Great Dane, and the German Shepherd. (For a complete list of banned breeds, click here.) The regulations stipulate that each household may keep one small dog.
But while most large dog keepers still haven't found a way to deal with their beloved animal friends, a new trend has emerged among city dwellers: keeping ferrets as pets.
"Ferrets have become a new fashion in Chengdu since the banning of large dogs," said Shi Lei, the owner of a pet store in the Wuhou District. "We sell at least one per day on weekdays and four to five of them on Saturdays and Sundays."
Ferrets are unique, fun-filled creatures. Owners swear by them and usually are "ferret-crazy" — tending to have three or four of the wiggly critters at a time.
Ferrets, as we say in the profession, are not small cats. They have very specific and special medical issues, and a good understanding aids owners in keeping their little friends healthy.
Watch for these diseases
Canine distemper virus can affect ferrets as well. This disease is fatal and is prevented (as in dogs) by a series of vaccinations early in life, and repeated throughout adulthood.
The human influenza virus can also be spread to ferrets. Signs are similar to those seen in human form: nasal discharge, fever, cough; occasionally a rash is noted. If you have been ill with the flu and your ferret thereafter shows signs of feeling poorly, your exotic veterinarian should be consulted. Treatment is supportive (IV fluids, antibiotic injections), and most ferrets will recover.
THE RSPCA has more than five times the normal amount of ferrets at their Newport centre, following a recent influx of the pets.
Manager Elaine Buchan said the centre needs to find new homes for the 16 animals as they have a long waiting list of other small animals to take their place.
Courtney the ferret was found by an inspector with her six kits, Jacob, Eric, Edward, Esme, Rosaline and Bella clinging on to her.
The six-week-old youngsters, which are almost as big as their mother, are now available for re-homing.
Ms Buchan said the animals make great pets as they are sociable animals, but need plenty of stimulation and are best kept in a large rabbit hutch.
"You can train them to walk them on leads and they love it," she said.
Ten-week-old ferrets Naomi and Arwen, who staff believe are sisters, are set to be re-homed together.
------------- Legal News ------------- Written by: Kel Munger and Nick Miller
Lurker pets
By Kel Munger and Nick Miller
August 5, 2010 Newsreview.com
They’re not your typical criminals. But they’ll unite next month to try to convince the state to decriminalize a very important part of their lives.
They’re ferret owners, and they’re breaking the law.
Estimates suggest the number of ferrets in the state range anywhere from 100,000 to half a million, yet ferrets are illegal in California. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council reports that Californians buy 27 percent of ferret supplies sold nationwide. That’s a lot of supplies for pets that aren’t supposed to be here.
The ferret-legalization movement has a history. A bill in 2005 was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for being “too bureaucratic” and failing to have an environmental impact report (see “Ferret factor” by Jeffrey M. Barker; SN&R News; March 24, 2005). But ferret owners swore they’d be back. And this time, they’ll be armed to the rarely used but pointy teeth with facts and figures.
The San Diego-based group Ferrets Anonymous has contracted with a Sacramento State biological sciences professor to study the supposed dangers of ferrets. His first quarter report indicates that no area in the United States has had problems with feral ferrets, which has been the California Department of Fish and Game’s major reason for opposing legalization.
The information in news articles posted on this site that are not wholly the product of FerretLife.com, unless otherwise stated, and contain the opinions of their respective authors. Links are provided back to the source in each article. In addition, FerretLife.com is not a veterinarian. We do not give medical or legal advice of any kind. For medical advice, consult your own properly licensed veterinarian. For legal advice, consult your own properly licensed legal professional(s).
