Ferrets As Pets In California

As a result state officials are concerned that gerbils who escape or are released into the wild could establish feral colonies that would damage crops and native plants and animals.

Ferrets as pets in california. The golden state and hawaii are the only states to ban domesticated ferrets. Pet ferrets have neither. Ferrets are legal in all the states of america except california and hawaii. If you live in california or anywhere else ferrets are illegal and are still considering getting a ferret please don t.

However california s climate is similar to a gerbil s natural desert habitat. Ferrets were once used to control the wild rabbit population in new zealand resulting in the development of feral ferret colonies. As of 1999 ferrets are legal to keep as pets in new york city. Saturday april 2 is national ferret day but there will not be much celebration in california.

Like ferrets gerbils are popular pets in the united states. The california fish and game code declares it a crime to possess any animal that is endangered and a threat to public security. Ferrets are what many consider to be a domesticated subspecies of the european polecat a member of the family of mustelids this group includes animals like weasels wolverines otters badgers martens and others. For this reason ferrets were made illegal to own breed and sell.

Even though ferrets are genetically very similar to the european polecat the actual origin of the domestic ferrets cannot be determined accurately since the exact species we find. Unfortunately ferrets are illegal in california. Call ferrets the forbidden fruit of pet ownership. California allows some exotic animals as pets.

California as well as a few other states and countries continue to outlaw ferrets as pets. Funny thing is there s an estimated 300 000 to 500 000 ferrets in california though illegal to own there the state has the highest population of domesticated ferrets.