Current News

Updates to this website

About NYCFerrets.Com

Frequently Asked Questions about the NYC Ferret Ban

Downloads

• Californian's for Ferret Legalization's 355 page "Ferret Legalization in California" Booklet
• ASPCA: Testimony from the 1999 NYC DOH Public Hearing - In favor of removing ferrets from the Banned Animal List
• Humane Society of New York: Testimony from the 1999 NYC DOH Public Hearing - In favor of removing ferrets from the Banned Animal List

Yonkers Ferret Shelter Looking For Experienced Volunteers

Learn More About Ferrets

• Ferret Facts
• Some general information about ferrets and their care
  
• Thinking about buying a ferret? Think again... (and again, and again!)
  
• Ferrets require annual vaccinations against canine distemper and rabies
• Statistics on Ferret vs Dog Bites - L.I.F.E. Fact Sheet
• Ferrets are Domesticated Animals: Excerpts from articles on Ferret Domestication by Bob Church
• The Domesticated Pet Ferret and the Black Footed Ferret: Similar names but entirely different animals
• New York City Ferret Meetups: A way to meet and network with other ferret lovers in NYC
• Ferret Links

How The Ferret Ban Started

• The list of banned animals
• DOH Health Code Section 161.01, prohibiting ferrets (Link to DOH website)
• The DOH's form letter response
• The Department of Health's original "Star Witness" in favor of the Ferret Ban
• -Plus Numerous links pertaining to the misinformation in Dr. Taylor's letter
  • Dr. Taylor's Actual Letter
    
  • Pictures of Baby and Ferret
    
  • CDFG questionnaire of CT and NH confirming the lack of feral ferrets in those states
    
  • NYC DOH rabies protocol
  • Ferret Shelter letter to Dr. Taylor
  • Shelter 1 response to Dr. Taylor's comments
  • Shelter 2 response to Dr. Taylor's comments
  • Governor of NH proclaims "Ferret Appreciation Day!"
    *More links leading to documents on other websites

• Pro-Ferret Speakers from the June 1999 public hearings who urged the Department of Health not to ban ferrets.
  
  • ASPCA (See Downloads Page)
  • Humane Society (See Downloads Page)
  • New York City Council Member Kathryn Freed

Past Legalization Efforts

1) Council Member Kathryn Freed's Bill to Legalize Ferrets

• Intro 627-A: The Ferret Regulation Bill
• "Introduced legislation?", "introduced a bill?", "Public Hearing?" -what does it all mean? Read more about How a Bill Becomes a Law in New York City
• Take Action! Contact your Elected Council Members!
• 06-25-1999 Ms. Freed's testimony to the DOH supporting the rights of NYC ferret owners
• 09-09-1999 Press Conference following the introduction of our bill to the Health Committee
• 12-18-2000 Public Hearing before the City Council Health Committee
• 04-19-2001 Kathryn Freed Praises the City Council Health Committee for Voting YES!
  • More Information on the April 19th vote
• 05-09-2001 Freed Thanks Full Council For Supporting Bill To Allow Furry Ferrets As Pets
  • More Information on the May 9th Vote
  • Council Members who voted in FAVOR of legalizing ferrets
  • Council Members who voted AGAINST legalizing ferrets
  • Council Members who ABSTAINED
  • Council Members NOT PRESENT the day of the vote
• 05-21-2001 Mayor Giuliani Vetoed the Ferret Bill
  • What to do NOW if your Council Member voted in favor of legalization on May 9th
  • What to do NOW if your Council Member voted against legalization on May 9th
    

2) Lawsuit against Mayor Giuliani and the NYC Department of Health

• Press Release
• Summons
• Complaint
• Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law
• Plaintiffs' Reply
• Order to Show Cause
• Temporary Injunction (No longer in effect)
  • Translation of Temporary Injunction
• Past Lawsuit Updates
• Affidavits
  • Gary Kaskel
  • Dr. James K. Morrisey
  • Dr. Katherine Quesenberry
  • Dr. Charles William Schaubhut
• Judge Braun's Ruling
  • Judge Braun's Ruling
  • Text from the ruling with our notes
  • Only our notes on the ruling
    

3) The Ferret Club of New York City's 2014-2015 Legalization Efforts