Owners in California (not a debate)

[southcalihedgie]

As I was posting earlier :) ...if there are other owners in california I would like to meet them online. To discuss our hedgies, organizing rescue, and possibly looking at ways to get hediges legal in our state. If you do not feel comfortable posting send me a private message. I look forward to hearing from other owners.

[LovingHedgieMom]

I find it unbelievable that you would openly state that you own hedgehogs in an illegal state. This forum is open to the public to read. How do you know there aren't Fish and Wildlife people reading your posts? You're not being very responsible in protecting your hedgehog's life.

[cherubchins]

I to find it incredibly irresponsible. For gosh sakes, either stop posting about it or sell your hedgie to someone out of state. As a second thought, stop posting unless you have something to actually contribute.

[Super Chin]

I know this isn't a debate, but you really shouldn't be openly posting that you have hedgehogs where they are illegal! I will feel really bad for your hedgehogs if you post in a few months saying they got taken away because someone saw your posts and confiscated them! I'm not saying get off the board. I'm just suggesting that instead of talking about your hedgehogs talk about other member's hedgehogs. Answer questions, post about pictures- all the fun of hedgehogs without having to worry.

Just my .2 cents

Getting hedgehogs legal in the state-that would take some work. It might be a lot easier just to get the law changed in your county. Then you could go from there. If you want some advice, please feel free to IM me. As I mentioned before, I am working to get the law changed in Fairfax County and would love to help. :)

[paris26]

Please keep this thread on topic, whether you agree with the topic or not :)

There is a debate, although it is one-sided right now, about owning illegal animals in the Hedgie Debate section
http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75136&page=1&pp=15

[southcalihedgie]

Hello All,

Normally i do not feel the need to justify my choices to anyone, but since people have gotten foamier that a hedgdog annointing on a bar of soap over my posts :laugh: ...met me clarify. My hedgehogs legal! Because they are used for eduction purposes, they travel to elementary schools (along with my other exotic animals) to educate children about animals. They also travel to hospitals and convelasent homes. Many "illegal" animals can be owned with a special permit if they are used for "education" purposes. They serve as abasadors to teach children to care about animals and the environment. I was hoping to use this formum to contact other hedgehog owners in calfornia (legal or not) to possibly organize a group to vists schools and hospitals as a hobby while getting thier pets permitted also.

I chose my screen name on purpose, and as a result others know I am here, and I have been able to rescue 2 hedgies that were no longer wanted. Instead of being frightened the owners joined the site e-mailed me and I arranged a pick them up. They were contemplating dropping them off at the pound in the middle of the night to avoid questions. I am glad that my screen name can do some good, and I do not plan on changing it anytime soon.

I cannot stand sites where overly opinionated people feel the need to tear into people who are trying to start a diologue that doesn't even consern them. If you do not want to read my posts then don't! Please to not repeat the same tired lines that you typed in the last thread. Some posts have been out of genuine concern, and i appeciate it, and I thank you. But the others need to calm down and if they feel the need to lecture please do it else where.

Thanks

[cherubchins]

I have never seen you write before that you had a permit and were using them for educational purposes. Perhaps if I had I wouldn't have jumped on you. I am sorry about that, there have been people in the past though posting that DO own illegal hedgies so it can get really frustrating.

[southcalihedgie]

Like I said, I do not feel the need to justify or explain things just incase someone may feel the need to attack. I thought this was a safe friendly place to possibly get intouch with new people. It just goes to show you that you cannot just make assumptions about people...and attack before you know all of the facts. Otherwise it can come back to bite you. :|

[Super Chin]

Sorry for jumping. It's just that in the past this has happened and people haven't had permits. If you don't know, you usually assume the worst... Now that we know we can all be happy! :) Just don't expect to get a response from someone in Cali with a hedgehog. I don't think anyone who frequents this board lives in Cali and has a hedgehog. :(

[ejw829]

Like I said, I do not feel the need to justify or explain things just incase someone may feel the need to attack. I thought this was a safe friendly place to possibly get intouch with new people. It just goes to show you that you cannot just make assumptions about people...and attack before you know all of the facts. Otherwise it can come back to bite you. :|

Of course, you did not present all the facts regarding your ownership of the hedgehogs. Knowing that CA law states that hedgehogs are illegal as pets should have given you some insight as to whether folks would be receptive to your openess regarding ownership or not.

Admittedly, it may have been unfair of members of c-n-q to voice their concerns. While you do not feel it is necessary to "justify or explain things" you can now see why folks were riled up. It is unfair to expect positive remarks to your situation if you don't clear it up from the beginning.

I do have a question for you, though -- you mention that you use your animals for educational/theraputic purposes. Apparently you can obtain a permit to do this? From where, then, do you acquire the hedgehog? I realize that stores in CA sell illegal pets (hedgehogs and ferrets, for example). Aren't folks in your position, then, doing something illegal? Or does the educational permit void this? Or do you obtain your animals through other means, such as a breeder from another state? Is the gov't req'd to moniter your purchase?

Also -- you had mentioned in a prior post that you breed hedgehogs. Again: are individuals in your situation allowed to do so? Are you allowed to sell them? Are the folks that purchase (or otherwise acquire) from you therefore required to get the necessary permit and thereby use the animal for educational purposes?

The reason I ask is that these "laws" are murky. If an animal is illegal as pet, fine. If it can be used in a zoo or educational facility, fine. However, miscommunication and misrepresentation of the legislature can cause problems. I know of folks who have been lead to believe that their ferrets are "legal in CA b/c they were born there."

Best of luck in regards to changing outdated legistlature, regardless.