"Ferrets have been domesticated longer than cats," said Freed, who has been the leading critic of the City's ban on ferrets since its inception. "It's time that the City recognize the merits of ferrets and stopped making criminals of their owners. I am hopeful that the Council will overturn the administrative ban and allow the residents of the City to keep their ferrets."

While there appears to be widespread support on the Council for overturning the ban, Mayor Giuliani has indicated that he supports the Health Department's decision. In fact, during a radio interview in 1999, the Mayor referred to a ferret owner as "deranged" and then told the man to see an analyst (New York Post, December 15, 2000).

"The ban on ferrets is silly and should be overturned immediately," said Freed, the self described Council animal maven. "While I understand that not everyone is an animal lover, the Mayor has taken his hatred towards ferrets to a new extreme. Thousands of New Yorkers keep ferrets as pets. They are wonderful animals who deserve an equal chance for a loving home."

Freed expressed optimism that the Council will pass her bill at the next meeting and that the Mayor will review the issue and sign the ban overturn. She noted that keeping ferrets as pets are legal everywhere in New York State, outside of the City and in 48 of the 50 states.