Ferrets may gain free rein in California

Sacramento, Calif.-Although ferrets may live peaceably in mostother states, California officials hands a $1,000 fine to any daring ferretowner they catch in the state.

But that may be about to change, according to state officials. A Californialaw intact since 1933, bans ownership of ferrets, but for years state officialshave tried to get the law repealed without success - until now.

Sen. Sheila Kuehl, Senate Appropriations Committee chairwoman, supportsa bill before the legislature. If passed, Hawaii would be the only remainingstate to ban ownership of the animal.

The bill would require the Department of Fish and Game to study the environmentalimpact of ferrets. It would also enable anyone who owned a ferret beforeMay 1 to keep it legally beginning January 1, if the animal is spayed orneutered and vaccinated before then.