Owning hedgehogs in illegal states

[southcalihedgie]

Lets not compare apples to oranges. :rolleyes: Owning a hedgehog in a state where they are illegal is in no way similar to illegal drug use! First of all drug use is not legal in any state (except for the few that allow cannabis for medicinal use). Owning a HH in a state where they are illegal for no good reason is a choice whether or not you agree with it is up to you. Bringing drugs into the conversation is just silly. :laugh:

I was just saying that is my personal choice not to judge illegal owners, or be rude/hostile to people asking questions. I think repeating the same tired lines is a waste of time. I feel sorry for people who are denied the joy of having these wonderful animals as companions. I sometimes think that if I could not obtain a permit, I may have made the choice to be an illegal owner. You can call me scum if you want but I am just being honest. Which is more than I can say for people who try to put me down in threads, but then ask me to get them a HH illegally. Or people who silently lurk and watch as people get torn to shreads then pm me asking for ways to get a HH illegally...but refuse to post in a person's defense or let it be known that they agree with the person posting.

[yourmine]

I'm just trying to say, no one should ever be encouraged to break the law, no matter what law it is. I wasn't trying to put you down, I'm just saying I don't agree with your practices. I think I, and anyone else who feels the way I do, am just as entiltled to an opinion as you are. Just because we disagree on this point, it doesn't make us bad people, or bad pet owners.

[southcalihedgie]

Let me get this straight you "do not agree with my practices" ?!?! Owning hedgehogs in an illegal state, but going through the long difficult and sometimes impossible task if getting a permit. Then using that HH to visit children in schools, and hosptitals? Which of my practices do you not agree with? Following the rules? Using animals to serve my community? Or having a differnet opinion from people like you?

Sometime I honestly wonder if people actually read their post BEFORE the post them. :confused: Which is probably why I and many others rarely post on this site.

[yourmine]

Helping people who do not have permits obtain hedgies is what I disagree with. I commend you for getting your permit and exposing the public to these wonderful little critters as well as your rescue efforts. But when you say you follow the rules, I feel that is not quite honest. You follow some of the rules, but not all of them...

[southcalihedgie]

I can see that you are bent on trying to make me out to be the bad guy on some level. Luckly it doesn't phase me at all. Me and my animals are happy and healthly. Have fun on you witch hunts, I hope you find someone to bash so you can feel better about youeself. :laugh:

[Bronco]

Man, I just love how people slander and belittle people they don't even know, about circumstances they don't fully understand. I mean really, you are doing a good job :applause: , keep it up. Have any of you ever j-walked, lied, went over the speed limit, or heaven forbid littered. For crying out loud, whatever you do, especially guilt tripping, is not going to change the mind of those who have made the decission to keep their animals illegally. It is their choice. I live in CA and want a hedgehog, but I don't have one because it is against the law, so I am after a permit. That is my choice, and everyone has the right to make choices for themselves. So please, can we get past judging and maybe help those who want info on the legality of hedgehogs and such. (Wait! Am I going to get in trouble for preaching in the forum? :laugh: )

[southcalihedgie]

:laugh: :laugh: You got caught on a soap box! O no! You are now infected with preachy syndrome! :laugh: :laugh:

Just kidding! I agree with you. People make their own choices and nagging will change nothing. So why not enjoy the site and be (god forbid) nice to people!

[ejw829]

Pennsylvania Game Commission & Hedgehogs (http://pgchallofshame.com/stories/page4.htm)

Hedgehog Underground Railroad - City Paper, Philadelphia PA (http://citypaper.net/articles/030702/cs.cover.shtml)

[southcalihedgie]

That sounds terrible. That owner needs to sue. The state cannot issue legal permits then decided to impose fines, search then sieze property just because the law suddenly changes. The state is required to provied a reasonalble amount of time for a individual to comply with the law they are in violation of (if the violation is not the fault of the citizen). It looks like this person had his rights violated. I hope he goes to court and demands his animals be returned (if they are still alive) and sues the state. It doesn't even make sense what the state is doing. Wow that is scary. It is like he is being punished for following the law. If he didn't have a permit the state would have not known about him and his HH. And he would probably still have his animals today. That really sucks!

[ejw829]

I live in CA and want a hedgehog, but I don't have one because it is against the law, so I am after a permit. That is my choice, and everyone has the right to make choices for themselves. So please, can we get past judging and maybe help those who want info on the legality of hedgehogs and such.

#1 - Hedgehogs aren't legal in CA. I'm aware of that. You are aware of that. Many, many visitors to this forum ARE NOT. When they post a want ad asking to find one in CA, they are kindly told about the law. Sometimes arguements follow but more often than not, it's by the disgruntled hedgehog admirer who just realized they can't get what they want.

#2 - You want a hedgehog. That's great. They are fascinating animals. HOWEVER -- just b/c you want one doesn't mean you can have one as a pet... legally. CA does not just hand out permits to people who want exotics, period. Special circumstances and criteria may grant you a permit: educational, a zoo, etc. But as a pet? I don't think that it's going to happen.

#3 - I am relatively new to hedgehog ownership but not the animal itself. There are dozens of members here who have spent the better part of the last decade devoting themselves to this one special animal. They've heard the horror stories. They worry. If that comes off as preachy, I apologize.

#4 - If you are ****-bent on owning a hedgehog (again, I can hardly blame you -- they are such great animals), I give you credit for looking into doing so LEGALLY.

#5 - My opinion on illegal exotics? If they are illegal in your state, don't own them. Don't breed them, sell them, buy them, give them away...

Yes, I realize that each state and the US gov't has far more to worry about than if Mr. SoCal has a hedgehog of Ms. NoCal has a ferret. It's a ridiculous, antiquated law... but that's the law. If you want the animal, move out of state so the animal (and the owner) can get the best care and comfort for the animal. More importantly, CHANGE THE LAW. Research. Petition. Speak up. It's not impossible: look at the young man on this forum who is changing the law in Fairfax, VA. If someone under the age of 18 can successfully convince a local legistlature that an outdated law is on the books, SO CAN AN ADULT.