Ferret owners may ask voters to legalize pets

Rebuffed for another year in their campaign to legalize pet ferrets in California, owners of the furry creatures are debating whether to take their case directly to voters through a ballot initiative.

California's Legislature adjourned last week without passing a bill that would have legalized ferrets if a study concluded the animals do not threaten native species.

The setback was the latest in years of failed attempts to change California's status as the only state in the continental United States that outlaws ferrets.

The 1- to 3-pound animals, relatives of otters and polecats, have become popular pets even in California.

"I think voters will recognize ferrets as good companion pets if (voters) are given the chance," said Patrick Wright, a San Diego County resident active in the legalization movement. "How can we do worse than we've done in the Legislature?"

Wright is active in legalizeferrets.org, a group now struggling to round up signature collectors for a petition drive to force a statewide initiative next year.

He said ferret owners and sympathizers lack the money or political connections to get a bill through the Legislature and governor.

But other ferret sympathizers haven't given up on the Legislature, and they worry a ballot measure could backfire.

"I think a ballot measure is a bad idea." said Kimberly Bruno of Concord, a board member for Ferrets Anonymous, a statewide social and educational group to promote ferrets.

The movement came close to succeeding in California two years ago, she noted. The Legislature passed a bill to legalize ferrets, but it was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was concerned that ferrets might escape into the wild, form colonies and harm native wildlife.

Bruno and other ferret advocates say ferrets are too fragile to survive in the wild.

A ballot measure faces an uncertain future because many Californians are unfamiliar with an animal that cannot be displayed publicly without the risk of government confiscation.

Ferret owners would be hard-pressed to raise the money for political advertising to counter the assertion by the state Department of Fish and Games that ferrets threaten native wildlife, she said.

"There are 48 states where ferrets are legal, and none of them have found colonies of domestic ferrets in the wild," Bruno said. "But it takes money to run a statewide campaign to get that message across."

The debate over legislation strategies will be aired in a Sept. 23 conference in Brisbane that is sponsored by legalizeferrets.org. The group is taking reservations on its Web site.

The author of the ferret legislation bill, which died in committee this year, said it's too early to say whether a ballot measure is a good idea.

"I think it's worth considering, but I think you've got to take a poll first to see what kind of support you have," said Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood.

Koretz said he is optimistic the Legislature might legalize ferrets in future sessions even though many lawmakers find it hard to take animal legislation seriously.

But Koretz won't be around to lead the campaign.

He must give up his seat because term limits force him to step down from office.