GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1189

Short Title:  Ferrets Are Not Pets.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representative Payne.
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Referred to:  Human Resources.
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April 12, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS, SELL, OR DISTRIBUTE A FERRET AS A PET.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Article 52 of Chapter 14 is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 14-401.14.  Prohibit possession, sale, or distribution of ferrets.
(a)	It is unlawful to possess, sell, or distribute a ferret, except as follows:
(1)	Institutions registered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture pursuant to the federal Animal Welfare Act, as amended, the North Carolina Zoological Park, and other zoological parks approved for this purpose by the North Carolina Zoological Park Council may possess a ferret, and dealers licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture pursuant to the federal Animal Welfare Act, as amended, may distribute or sell a ferret to these parks and institutions.
(2)	A person in possession of a ferret on October 1, 1989, may continue to possess the ferret if by January 1, 1990, the person obtains a permit to possess the ferret from the local health department as provided in subsection (b).
(3)	A licensed veterinarian may have in possession a ferret for the sole purpose of providing veterinary services.
(b)	The local health department shall issue a permit to possess a ferret to any person who provides the following information:
(1)	The name and address of the person owning the ferret;
(2)	The place where the ferret will be maintained;
(3)	The number of ferrets in the applicant's possession on October 1, 1989; and
(4)	A certificate from a licensed veterinarian that each ferret has been spayed or neutered.
No fee may be charged for the permit.  No permit to possess a ferret may be issued after January 1, 1990.
(c)	A violation of this act shall be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of no more than six months, a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both in the discretion of the court.
(d)	This section shall be enforced by the county animal control officers who shall have the right of entry pursuant to G.S. 130A-17 for enforcement purposes."
Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective October 1, 1989, and shall apply to offenses occurring on or after that date.