Are ferrets legal to own as pets in California?

Ferrets were once banned in many US states, but most of these laws were rescinded in the 1980s and 1990s as ferrets became popular pets. Ferrets are still illegal in California under Fish and Game Code Section 2118; and the California Code of Regulations, 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. Under the Common Law, ferrets are deemed "wild animals" subject to strict liability for injuries they cause, but in several states statutory law has overruled the common law, deeming ferrets "domestic."

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

81 Comments

Boyd Tracy

Eamonn Hayes, .... What makes it an interesting unique question is that here is California as the only mainland state where ferrets are illegal and yet it is the state where practically everything else under the sun is welcomed including illegal aliens. They must think that ferrets are conservatives.

Ian Swindale

For once a question that has a "False" answer instead of the "true" answer

Naked Kitty Slave

marciawythers, Just because they owned them doesn't mean they're legal. I owned one I went and got from Reno NV. There is no oversight. Not a big deal.

Naked Kitty Slave

rogerjghannam, every pet store sells ferret supplies too.

Naked Kitty Slave

But I owned one anyway. Very easy to drive to a Reno NV pet store and bring one back to CA. Dumbest pet I ever owned. But super cute!

rogerjghannam

Vets can treat them as pets, however, it is illegal to own them. A ferret as a pet has a lifespan of 6 to 10 years. So people obviously are buying ferrets or smuggling ferrets to own as pets. There are ferret pet owners which is illegal, yet vets can treat them. This question makes no sense to me whatsoever.