California Ferret Owners Want Their Pets Legalized

Mar 7th 2011

Sometimes our pets look so cute it's nearly criminal, but some pet owners in California have an actual legal issue -- it's one of only two states that outlaw ferrets as pets, and California ferret owners want their pets legalized, reports KTVU.com.

Despite an almost 80-year-old law against it, many Californians keep ferrets as pets. As a matter of fact, according to KTVU.com, the state houses more ferrets than any other. The ban isn't strictly enforced, as the Department of Fish and Game's wardens have more pressing issues to manage.

So what's the problem, you ask? "We are already overrun with non-native species in the state of California," says California Fish and Game Commission President Jim Kellogg, according to KTVU.com. "There's no reason for us to legalize one more animal that could come into California and do damage to our native species."