Owning hedgehogs in illegal states

[glamgal]

Well, I'm a bit of a paranoid person...and out of concern for my pets I'd be afraid to keep an illegal pet. It's not that I actually believe that there are massive hedgie raids going on in California or anything, but I'd be afraid of what would happen to these animals I love so much IF I DID happen to get busted with one...I'd also be concerned about finding a good, well-educated (on hedgies), respectable vet who wouldn't charge an arm and a leg or report me to the authorities...

I don't necessarily think that any of you Cali (or PA or AZ or GA or wherever) owners are bad people, I just don't think it's a very well thought-out decision...

I also don't think it's a good idea to encourage people to own hedgehogs especially in a state where it's illegal, when there are so many people that just think they're cute, don't do research, then end up stuck with a pet that is often much more work and not as necessarily always as "nice" as they'd expected...those owners problems in a state where ownership is illegal are just compounded by the fact that they'll have a much harder time finding a new, good, permanent home for their pets.

whew, that was kinda rambly, it's early on a Sunday morning, hope that made at least SOME sense to someone lol

[ChoppersMom]

Glamgal: I hope I didn't misstate myself--I didn't mean to imply that I encourage people to own illegals, I just think some of the laws are silly, and should be changed to allow people who know what they're doing and can prove it to own exotics. I agree with everyone who has said that no one should jeopardize their animals by owning illegals. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression, and if you weren't referring to my comments, then I agree with you too! :)

[southcalihedgie]

Hello,

Since I am the only person commenting on this thread that actually lives in california, and owns hedgies (LEGALLY). I think it would be interesting for others in legal states to know that the law although on the books is rarely enforced. Unless someone reports you (which forces animal control personel to do their jobs) nobody is actively looking for illegal hedghogs. For example you can go into any major pet store and find hedgehog food, cages, treats, and even books on how to care for hedgehogs. If people wanted to "catch" illegal owners all they would have to do was to go to pet co and nab the people buying the food and supplies. That may be why many people do not realize that they are infact illegal or take the law seriously. Everytime I buy my HH food the cashiers comment on how customers bringing their HH in to see the in store vet or to just buy supples. I am not saying because the supplies are avaible that it is okay to own illegally in illegal states, but is shows that there basically is a don't ask don't tell policy.

When I ask vets and animal control officers about this issue, they say that the law was meant to protect native species in calfornia, and does exclude some animals that are not a threat, and that gov officials do not feel that it is worth the time, money, and effort to change the law. Instead they turn a blind eye unless they are forced to act. They say the only illegal animals that they actively see out are large predators being kept illegally like lions, tigers, and bears because they pose a threat to public health and safety if they ever get loose.

Thanks

[glamgal]

That makes perfect sense to me, Southcalihedgie, however, who's to say some jerk won't get angry with you for something or other and get back at you through your animals by "turning you in"? (understand when I say "you" I don't mean "you" specifically, I know you have a permit, I just mean the illegal hedgie owner)

I'd like to think that noone I know would do such a thing to me, but when you get down to it there are alot of jerks out there who would do something just like that...bottom line is I would not want anything to happen to my pets for any reason...and owning a pet illegally, regardless of how little the law is enforced, still suscepts them to even more things to worry about than we already do.

I agree that some of the laws are silly and outdated and need to be changed. I understand that the lawmakers don't care enough to spend the time and money to change them. But I personally still don't thing even the slightest risk to my pet is worth it...I do not think the best way to deal with it is to simply ignore the law, I think the best thing to do would be to gather support from owners and prospective owners of ferrets, hedgehogs, and whatever other small animals are illegal in your state, and bug the lawmakers until they get off their butts!

OH, and Choppersmom, I wasn't referring to you or to anyone specifically, I was just speaking in general :)

[Jules7533]

All though I do agree people should not put their animals in danger, people abuse and put animals in danger all the time. That is when the law should step in, be it a legal or illegal animal. If a person is responsible they would not flaunt the ownership of their illegal pet to anyone they did not trust (ie. neighbor). As far as the law turning a "blind eye" I am sure if someone tried to report their neighbor for owning a hedgie, no one would even respond. Heck I can't even get animal control to do anything about my neighbors abusing and neglecting their animals. They leave them out in the freezing cold weather when it rains and animal control says well as long as they have food and water there is nothing we can do. I have also had 3 instances when this same dog has jumped my fence and almost hung himself to death in my yard. He jumps over with his choker chain on an I found him literally hanging himself 2 times and he was almost dead both times. It took 3 visits and calls to police and animal control, for animal control to even make them shorten his lead. This does not sound like a system that would care about a neighbor tattleling on another one. They do not have the time and resources to pursue this. I think it relates closely to the example of premarital sex. Sure it is illegal, but how many people do you know that have been "busted" for doing it. With regard to the comment of people rallying together to change the laws. I would have to disagree, if all of these illegal pet owners decided to do this, would that not clearly expose them and subject them to having their animals seized. Most people that would actually support an action like this would probably be illegal pet owners. If they attempted to cause problems for the state, I firmly beleive that would cause the state to retaliate and harshly enforce the laws they other wise look away from. If a caring hedgie owner came here looking for answers would anyone here be so cruel as to report them?? I do not own any hedgies, but I do live in CA so I just wanted to input on what I know about the sytem in the state I live in. JMO :)

[Bob]

As I have grown older I have come to learn that the world is not black and white. There is a lot of gray areas. Where I live hedgehogs where illegal, until 2003, a friend of mine had taken a hedgehog in from a lady in 2001. This was an elderly lady who could no longer care for her hedgehog. I do not think that what she did was wrong, even though they were illegal at the time. She did not hurt anybody in the process, and the hedgehog ended up living till 2005. I think it all depends on the context. What I do not agree with is buying or importing hedgehogs into illegal states, that is against the law and clearly a foolish act. :)

[Ravnos]

I'm not much interested in what the thread has drifted to, but myself, being a keeper of reptiles (as well as hedgies), the idea of illegal animals touches home. Every time someone is caught keeping animals in an area where they are not legal it hurts the entire community. It drives up the level of paranoid ignorance of the general public, and makes us all look bad. It works the same way with any other animal. Sure, its just a hedgehog or ferret, but to someone that doesn't know any better, it is a wild animal that you are breaking the law to keep. When was the last time you saw a newsworthy story of someone who was keeping exotic animals legally and happily? :)

Rav

[babybird719]

I think it's completely different to keep an animal your alreadyhaveif it's been decalred illegal all of a sudden than it is to buy a pet knowing they are illegal. To me that is extremely irresponsible!

[Bronco]

Well, I live in California and contacted fish and game about hedgehogs. I was able to personally corespond with a representative. She sent me some info, a lot of legal talk, it said something about if caught with an exotic animal you could be fined no less than $500 and no more than $10,000. Also something about possible jail time. I kind of doubt they would do anything more than slap you on the hand a say, "you've been very, very naughty." But hey, rules are rules. The main reason she told me they didn't want them in CA was the whole thing about if they get out hedgehogs could upset the environment, or some crap like that. But I still would really like to get a hedgie. So if anyone has info on the permits, please let me know. And if you want the rules and regs that I have, let me know and I will e-mail them to you.

[hanatsuki]

Hello,

Since I am the only person commenting on this thread that actually lives in california, and owns hedgies (LEGALLY). I think it would be interesting for others in legal states to know that the law although on the books is rarely enforced. Unless someone reports you (which forces animal control personel to do their jobs) nobody is actively looking for illegal hedghogs. For example you can go into any major pet store and find hedgehog food, cages, treats, and even books on how to care for hedgehogs. If people wanted to "catch" illegal owners all they would have to do was to go to pet co and nab the people buying the food and supplies. That may be why many people do not realize that they are infact illegal or take the law seriously. Everytime I buy my HH food the cashiers comment on how customers bringing their HH in to see the in store vet or to just buy supples. I am not saying because the supplies are avaible that it is okay to own illegally in illegal states, but is shows that there basically is a don't ask don't tell policy.

When I ask vets and animal control officers about this issue, they say that the law was meant to protect native species in calfornia, and does exclude some animals that are not a threat, and that gov officials do not feel that it is worth the time, money, and effort to change the law. Instead they turn a blind eye unless they are forced to act. They say the only illegal animals that they actively see out are large predators being kept illegally like lions, tigers, and bears because they pose a threat to public health and safety if they ever get loose.

Thanks

wait wait wait. You own hedgehogs legally here in CA? You must share your wealth of knowledge on obtaining a permit for these little guys! (that is if you do have a permit) :love: