The purpose of these Rules and Regulations is to establish regulations for the possession of ferrets.

These Rules and Regulations are promulgated pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-17.1, Environmental Management, and R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 20-1-4; 20-16-3; 4-13-1; in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-35, Administrative Procedures.

The terms and provisions of these Rules and Regulations shall be liberally construed to permit the Department to effectuate the purpose of state law, goals, and policies.

If any provision of these Rules and Regulations, or application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of the Rules and Regulations shall not be affected thereby.

These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc., "Compendium of Animal Rabies Control,” 2016" by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations.

A. "Compendium" means the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control as published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc., incorporated above at § 6.5(A) of this Part.

B. "Currently vaccinated" means properly injected by or under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian with a rabies vaccine licensed for use in that species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and satisfying the following criteria:

1. The manufacture's protocol with regard to minimum age of animal as well as frequency and intervals of initial vaccinations(s) was followed; and

2. At least thirty (30) days have elapsed since the initial vaccination and not more than twelve (12) months have elapsed since the last vaccine.

C. "Ferret" means any Common European ferret (Mustela putorius).

D. "Owner" or "Keeper" or "Possession" means any person keeping, harboring, or having charge or control or responsibility for control of an animal.

E. "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity.

A. Personal Possession - Any person who intends to own, possess, or import a ferret into or within Rhode Island, for personal possession must obtain a permit. Said permit must be obtained within a two-week time period beginning on the first day of possession. Said permit will be issued by the director or his/her designee, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 16-3.

B. Distribution Only - Any person who intends to own, possess, or import a ferret into or within Rhode Island, for distribution must obtain a permit. Said permit must be obtained prior to possession. Applicant must be a pet distributor licensed with the DEM Division of Agriculture and who maintains a log on forms designated by the Division of Agriculture, subject to inspection at any time. In addition, such person must provide a Ferret Permit Application with each ferret distributed, as well as a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate for any ferret so vaccinated. Said vaccination must be administered by a veterinarian license in the state of origin.

C. Application Procedure (Personal Possession/Distribution) - Any person wishing to obtain a permit to possess or import a ferret must submit a DEM provided Ferret Permit Application to the DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife. The application will provide the following:

1. Applicants name, address, and telephone number,

2. Name, address, and telephone number of the ferret's place of origin; and the certificate of animal health in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-29,

3. Certification of current rabies vaccination as required for ferrets three months or older in accordance with the Rules and Regulations Governing the Prevention, Control and Suppression of Rabies within the State of Rhode Island, 250-RICR-40-05-2. The vaccination must be administered by a veterinarian license in the state of origin.

4. Certification of neuter or spay

5. A check in the amount of $10.00 made payable to RIDEM/Division of Fish and Wildlife, in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-1-22 for each ferret to be permitted.

D. Ferrets must be kept under control at all times. Ferrets must be harnessed and leashed or caged when out-of-doors. The release of ferrets from captivity is strictly prohibited. No person shall use a ferret for hunting game of any kind.

E. Prior vaccination of any ferret may not preclude the necessity for euthanasia and testing as the period of virus shedding is unknown for ferrets at this time, in accordance with the "Compendium of Animal Rabies Control", incorporated above at § 6.5(A) of this Part.