Research Paper on:
California's Legalization of Ferrets as Pets

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
Ferrets. Ferrets, you say? Apparently to some these cute furry members of the weasel family represent a threat to society. The fury over ferrets however is an exaggeration by both  New York and California in that the scientific evidence does not support their grossly exaggerated claims against this most companionable of domesticated animals. BACKGROUND A member of the scientific  family called Mustela, the common ferret is a member called, Mustela putorius furo (or weasel with the stinky fur..loosely translated of course). Most experts state that the ferret enjoys a  very long history with mankind, even predating the cat as a companion to man. Egyptians were known to have had them mummified with them showing their importance to the royals  during that era. The earliest reference in writing about the ferret was founding the writing of Plinius (Schilling 2000). Later there is an official request by Ceasar Augustus for ferrets  to be sent to one of his captured islands because the rabbits which had been released there as game, had become rabid(Schilling 2000). Arabian writings tell of the use and  domestication of ferrets as early as the eighth century. They were prized for their hunting ability and the Arabs used them much like modern society uses hunting dogs. Later,  during the Medieval era in Europe, ferrets would be introduced into the Palaces and homes of the royals to control vermin. They would remain the primary domesticated rat-catcher in Europe  well into the eighteenth century(Shilling 2000).Ferrets are still used today in England for much the same purpose as they did centuries before. FERRETS AS PETS Ferret owners tend  to champion the little guy who has received so much negative press. Experts and breeders state that as pets ferrets are one of the best domesticated animals that there are.