Information – Page 8 – Manitoba Ferret Association

Ferrets are allowed in Manitoba and there is currently no limit on the number of ferrets you can own.

I swear they multiply

The first thing a prospective pet owner should do is check on the legality of the pet where they live. This will take some work to find out, and you should get verification by personally talking to the proper agencies that have jurisdiction over pet related laws in your area.

My advice would be to check the local level of government first – the city, town, or county where you live. This is often the level at which the most restrictive laws are enacted. Call your city hall or Fish and Game department, Department of Conservation or Wildlife.   You can also call the humane society, animal shelter, or even veterinarians to get suggestions on whom you should check with on legal issues about your pets.

If your prospective pet is legal locally, I would still check at the state or provincial level. Many states and provinces may not have specific laws, but some (such as California) have strict and wide ranging laws. Call the state wildlife or natural resources department to check on possible restrictions.

You might also want to check Federal Law In the United States a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) license might be required so contacting the nearest USDA office should be done.   Laws vary tremendously by location so the hassle of finding out for sure if a pet is legal is a necessity. It is not entirely safe to assume that if an animal is found locally in a pet store or at a breeder it is legal – reputable stores and breeders don’t carry illegal pets but sometimes it can be difficult to know who is reputable.

Whether the laws are well founded or fair is often debatable, but regardless of this the laws exist and it is incumbent on pet owners to be aware of such laws. If a complaint is made about an illegal pet, these laws are often vigorously enforced and may result in confiscation and even euthanasia of your pet.

Laws pertaining to exotic pets range from local city by-laws to federal regulations. Many cities/towns and counties have laws regarding the number of pets, types of pets, and conditions under which certain pets can be kept. This usually includes dogs and cats as well as exotic species.

Unfortunately, exotic species are often prone to more restrictive laws.   I have been doing research to see what laws we have in Canada pertaining to our furry friends. As far as I know we have none regarding the domestic ferret.   We are allowed to have them in every province here. There is currently no limit on the number of ferrets you can own.   The United States is sadly different however.

California, Hawaii and New York City are the major battlefields in the war against keeping ferrets as pets.   In California and Hawaii, ferrets are classified as wildlife and outlawed as pets.   In New York City, a Board of Health ruling in June 1999 placed ferrets in the same category of animals that are wild, ferocious, fierce, dangerous or naturally inclined to do harm, lumping them with tigers, lions, and elephants.

Don’t forget about traveling

ferret wagon

If it is illegal to have ferrets where you’ll be visiting, think twice about bringing them. Most laws apply to possession of the ferret and don’t care whether you live there or are just visiting.

How Can You Affect Ferret Laws?

Because ferrets are the third most popular companion animal in the United States. The key to changing ferret laws is to understand existing laws, educate people, and work to change laws. Start by examining the complete copy of the animal control code, and discuss the code with animal control and humane authorities. Then work to educate people, ferret partisans are working hard to defeat the last of what they consider arcane and unenforceable bans.

Australia – It is illegal to keep ferrets as pets in Queensland or the Northern Territory; in the ACT a licence is required.

Brazil – They are allowed only if they are given a microchip identification tag and sterilized.

New Zealand – It has been illegal to sell, distribute or breed ferrets in New Zealand since 2002 unless certain conditions are met.[35]

Portugal – It is illegal to keep ferrets as pets in Portugal. Ferrets can be used for hunting purposes only and can be kept only with a government permit.

United States – Ferrets were once banned in many US states, but most of these laws were rescinded in the 1980s and ’90s as they became popular pets. Ferrets are still illegal in California under Fish and Game Code Section 2118[36] and the California Code of Regulations,[37] although it is not illegal for veterinarians in the state to treat ferrets kept as pets. In November 1995, ferret proponents asked the California Fish and Game Commission to remove the domesticated ferret from the restrictive wildlife list. Additionally, “Ferrets are strictly prohibited as pets under Hawaii law because they are potential carriers of the rabies virus”;[38]

The territory of Puerto Rico has a similar law to Hawaii.[39] Ferrets are restricted by individual cities, such as Washington, DC, and New York City.[39] They are also prohibited on many military bases.[39] A permit to own a ferret is needed in other areas, including Rhode Island.[40]

Illinois and Georgia do not require a permit to merely possess a ferret, but a permit is required to breed ferrets.[41][42] It was once illegal to own ferrets in Dallas, Texas,[43] but the current Dallas City Code for Animals includes regulations for the vaccination of ferrets.[44]

Pet ferrets are legal in Wisconsin, however legality varies by municipality. The city of Oshkosh, for example, classifies ferrets as a wild animal and subsequently prohibits them from being kept within the city limits. Also, an import permit from the state department of agriculture is required to bring one into the state.[45]

Japan – In Hokkaido prefecture, ferrets must be registered with local government.[46] In other prefectures, no restrictions apply.

Ferrets are members of the Mustelidae family. Other members of this family include: the weasel, mink, otter, stoat, badger, and even the skunk.

Turnip stealing a fork – because he can

The scientific name of the Domestic ferret is Mustela furo in latin “furo” means “little thief” and if you’ve ever owned a ferret you definately know why this is one of there many names.   The word Mustelidae is derived from the latin word for “musk”.

They have scent glands located on each side of the rectum, just like a skunk.   Some ferrets that have not yet had their scent removed are able to exude a potent and musky odor through the afore mentioned glands, at times when they feel either scared, threatened, surprised or over stimulated.  The smell quickly goes away and can be easily washed off with soap and water.   De-scenting is not a necessary action however, once a ferret is fixed the “musky odour” that they are known for is virtually eliminated. However most ferrets sold have been de-scented by the breeder.

It is questionable as to who the ferret’s wild ancestors really were. Scientific evidence points to two possible choices. The Steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni) found in Siberia, or the European polecat (Mustela putorius), both are considered possible ancestors.

Taken from Wikipedia – http://tinyurl.com/qx35vre

Contrary to popular belief ferrets are not wild animals. Ferrets have been in the United States for over 300 years. They were used in the 1800’s for rodent control. They even replaced the cat at one point.   The “ferretmeister” would come with his ferrets to a farm or grainery and release his ferrets. These working ferrets ran into the holes and hiding places of the rodents and the rats ran out.

Early ferrets also travelled far and wide on sailing ships, working as rodent patrol. Nooks and crannies on these ships were extremely tiny except for a ferret’s small body, since ferrets can turn around in very tight places, allowing them into areas off-limits to the cat.

Ferrets have also been used successfully to help wire planes in hard to reach places.   Ferrets have also been used in scientific research. Since they catch the same “common cold” as humans, they have been used in medical investigations. Ferrets were even raised for their fur (fortunately, they were not well suited for this purpose).

It is only fairly recently that so many people have “Discovered” what wonderful pet’s ferrets can be. They are the 3rd most popular pets behind the dog and the cat. Today the domesticated ferret is a cherished and often pampered member of the household throughout Canada, U.S.A, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

Fake fur rug from IKEA was apparently very popular

Bandit relaxing – http://tinyurl.com/lqsefnb

Fun Fact: Ferrets in Canada & the USA as regular practice are de-scented (anal scent glands removed) while Ferrets in England are not de-scented as this practice is considered to be mutilation by some people. Ferrets who feel safe and are treated well by their owners will generally not express their anal scent glands unless they are extremely frightened.

Just like their ancestors Ferrets are obligate carnivores – meaning they can only eat animal by products. Some Ferrets enjoy a raw food diet, others do not. The closest household pet with a similar diet would be cats, although ferrets do require higher protein and fat – always do research and read the ingredients on food you purchase.

Misconceptions

The most common one is that ferrets are European polecats bred in captivity “wild animals”.

As you have learned, this is NOT true.   If it were, they would be able to re- establish in the wild. Ferrets have been in the United States in large numbers for over 300 years and have never been able to do this.   The Domestic ferret cannot go “feral”.   Domestic Ferrets existence and “breedings” are completely controlled by People.   There is a wild animal found in the United States that is referred to as a “ferret”.   This is the Black-footed ferret whose scientific name is Mustela nigripes. This animal is on the ENDANGERED SPECIES list.