The following article was originally written by the Ferret PAWS (NZ) Inc Treasurer, John Chessum, for the November 1998 issue of Warm Fuzzies. It is reproduced here for those who may not have access to that publication.

It is legal to own ferrets as domestic pets on the North and South Islands of New Zealand, however ownership is controlled by the Wildlife (Farming of Unprotected Wildlife) Regulations 1985, which are issued under the Wildlife Act 1953.

The regulations require that a license be obtained by anyone who:

1. Keeps more than three ferrets in captivity,
2. Breeds a ferret,
3. Sells a ferret,
4. Conveys a ferret for the purposes of farming, breeding or selling, or
5. Keeps a ferret in captivity for the purposes of farming, breeding or selling.

It should be noted in connection with points (c) and (d) above that licensed owners may provide up to three ferrets to people intending to keep them as domestic pets, but may otherwise only sell or convey ferrets to other licensed owners.

Licenses are issued by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Criteria applied by DOC when considering applications for licenses may include:

1. That the applicant has the approval of the local council
2. That the applicant has suitable fencing or caging to contain the ferrets
3. The proximity of wildlife refuges, nature reserves, national parks or other areas where ferrets may significantly threaten the protection of rare, endangered or threatened species of wildlife.

The regulations also prohibit the release of ferrets into the wild.

Ferret PAWS (NZ) strongly advocates the obtaining of licenses by responsible ferret breeders and farmers. The regulations were put in place to protect wildlife, and non-compliance by illegal ferret farmers only gives further ammunition to those who would like to further restrict the ownership of domestic ferrets in New Zealand.

The regulations aren't ideal at the moment. The need for a farming license to own four neutered ferrets, for example, is arguably over the top, whilst the provisions relating to the supply of ferrets for breeding purposes would be more easily enforced if the regulations simply required breeders to neuter all ferrets supplied to non-licensed owners. In the medium term Ferret PAWS (NZ) intends to work with DOC and other interested parties to see if these regulations could be improved. This can only be achieved if we maintain our credibility as a responsible organisation. This is why the current Executive Committee does not accept membership applications from unlicensed farmers, and also why the draft constitution allows the Executive Committee to expel members who are found to be farming ferrets illegally.

Anyone wanting assistance in obtaining a ferret license can contact Ferret PAWS (NZ). Every attempt has been made to ensure that this article correctly interprets the Wildlife Regulations. Readers should, however, either consult the regulations themselves, or obtain legal advice, before acting in reliance of this article.

Copies of the Wildlife Regulations are available from Bennett's Government Bookshop for $2.10, and each member of the Executive Committee also holds a copy that members can view. Both the Wildlife Act and the Wildlife Regulations can also be downloaded free of charge through the Ferret PAWS (NZ) web-site at www.geocities.com/heartland/village/9074 (alternate URL: http://geocities.datacellar.net/ferretpaws_nz).

© 1998 Ferret PAWS (NZ)