California Ferret Legalization Initiative (2016)
| California Ferret Legalization Initiative | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | initiated state statute |
| Topic | Treatment of animals |
| Status | Not on the ballot |
| Not on Ballot |
|---|
 |
| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
A California Ferret Legalization Initiative (15-0034) did not make the November 8, 2016 ballot in California as an initiated state statute.[1]
The measure, upon voter approval, was designed to legalize the ownership of ferrets in California.[2]
Pat Wright, who was behind this initiative effort, said that his group was unable to collect enough signatures to put this initiative on the ballot. Concerning initiatives in California, Wright said, "It's impossible to get one of these things on the ballot without paying signature gatherers." The group did collect about 10,000 signatures, and Wright said that he hoped they were able to raise the public awareness of the issue through their campaign.[1]
Text of measure
Ballot title:
Official summary:
- "Legalizes the possession, importation, and transportation of pet ferrets. Requires all pet ferrets over six months old to be vaccinated against rabies annually, and all ferrets sold as pets in retail stores to be spayed or neutered before sale. Authorizes counties to impose license fee up to $100 on purchasers of ferrets as pets, to pay costs of local animal control enforcement."
Fiscal impact statement:
Note: The fiscal impact statement for a California ballot initiative authorized for circulation is jointly prepared by the state's legislative analyst and its director of finance.
- " Likely additional local government costs of a few million dollars annually for animal control enforcement activities, which could be largely or entirely offset by the license fees authorized by the measure."
Support
Arguments
Pat Wright of Legalize Ferrets said, "Reasons for banning ferrets are nonsense and don't hold up under scrutiny. An Environmental Report commissioned by LegalizeFerrets.org shows that concerns about ferrets going feral, attacking wildlife or children or any damage to the environment are unfounded."[2]
Path to the ballot
- See also: California signature requirements
- Pat Wright submitted a letter requesting a title and summary on June 9, 2015.
- A title and summary were issued by California's attorney general on August 13, 2015.
- 365,880 valid signatures were required for qualification purposes.
- Supporters had until February 10, 2016, to collect the required signatures.
- According to Pat Wright, petitioners fell well short of the signature requirement and did not submit any signatures.[1]
See also
External links
Additional reading
Footnotes
 |
State of California Sacramento (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
