>I have a question -
>why gerbils are not allowed in California ?
>
>thanks
>hila .
I have a question. Why are ferrets not allowed in California? As a ferret
lover, that question is near and dear to my heart.
>From what I understand, California is very concerned about local agriculture
and local wildlife. In fact, they should be concerned. Imported species
has caused problems with agriculture in Hawaii and decimated local flora and
fauna in Hawaii and Australia. Californians are concerned that gerbils may
escape and eat local crops and become so numerous as to out-compete native
rodent species.
IMO, the flaw in the argument is twofold:
1) Cats, dogs, and many other rodent species are LEGAL in California (and
Hawaii). Feral cats and dogs have caused problems, but are still legal.
This seems to me to be very unfair to other domestic pets of which there is
very little proof that these other pets would cause the kind of damage that
cats and dogs have.
2) Unlike Hawaii & Australia, California is not an island. The bordering
states do allow gerbils as pets and do not have problems with colonies of
feral gerbils destroying farmland. I see little proof that there would be a
problem. Even IF there was a problem in the neighboring states, California
could not stop the feral animals from crossing the border and invading their
state.
So, to answer your question, I don't know why California makes it illegal to
own gerbils, ferrets, sugar gliders, and other so-called "exotic" pets. The
state is paranoid about agriculture and the environment.
Hope that helps.
Deb Adams
________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
