PACNWRS this weekend, new videos, & ALERTS

[Bogertophis]

Pacific Northwest Reptile Show The biggest show in the Northwest is this weekend! Head to Puyallup and check out everything that PACNWRS has to offer. USARK will be there providing important information about a proposed ban on animal programs with reptiles, ferrets, and many other animals. Stop by our booth, get informed, and take action to stop these unreasonable and overreaching bills. Thank you to the PACNWRS team for working hard on this issue and hosting USARK. Get all show details athttps://pacnwrs.com/. NEW VIDEOS on our YouTube Channel Washington Animal Program Ban Alert video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLJDfdJVLKU USARK President Opens Up on Why Pets are Important - with Ron Funk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6HHswi_duM ALERT: Washington Animal Program Ban For alert instructions, sample letter, contacts, and more go to www.usark.org/24wa. SB5148 has been introduced again in Washington. It is the same bill number as in 2023 because it was reintroduced and retained in its present status. It is exactly the same as last year. This bill bans programs with thousands of species including ALL “snakes and reptiles,” ferrets, sugar gliders, and more. The bill prohibits any exhibition of animals that provide entertainment, which means even outreach and educational programs will be banned. Unsuspecting Washingtonians do not know this is a ban on educational programs in classrooms, public libraries, at Scout Troop meetings, and anywhere else for that matter because the stated intent is misleading. More details at www.usark.org/24wa. Watch the ALERT video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLJDfdJVLKU. ALERT: Louisiana The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has proposed extensive regulation changes regarding herps, both native and non-native. The comment deadline is March 6, 2024. We have the changes broken down and the full proposal posted at https://usark.org/24_la/. ALERT: Florida HB1033 seeks to expand the ban on green iguanas (Iguana iguana) to include all iguana species. This would mean that rock iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, rhinoceros iguanas, and all other species would be prohibited species. It does this by changing the statute from reading “Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)” to just “Iguana.” The bill would also ban the sales of dogs and cats in pet shops. HB1033 was introduced by Representative Sam Killebrew. The bill was profiled and has not yet been assigned to a Committee. The Florida legislative session begins on January 9, 2024. The bill would take effect on take effect July 1, 2024. Be sure to follow USARK Florida for updates on this bill. Read their current post at https://usarkfl.wildapricot.org/news/13295074. USARK FL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usarkfl USARK FL website: https://usarkfl.wildapricot.org/ House Committee Report with Lacey Act Amendments Lacey Act amendments regarding injurious species are included in a report from the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. It is titled, Reset, Prevent, Build: A Strategy to Win America’s Economic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party. This is not exactly the title of a document where these Lacey Act amendments would be expected and the inclusion is not germane to the report’s purpose regarding U.S.-China trade issues. Get more information at https://usark.org/23laceyhousereport/. Find A Vet Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661. USARK Shirts and Hats are Available Online Our shop is open at https://usark.org/shop/(or just click the "Shop" link in the menu on our website). We currently have two shirts and three hats available for sale. Find A Vet Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.

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[Bogertophis]

I find it awfully sad that so many of these bills are sneaking in provisions that will curtail educational programs with animals as "entertainment" that will be banned. I've gotten away from doing these programs since COVID, but I'm awfully glad that I've done so many over the years- I can't imagine kids growing up without these opportunities to learn. Not everyone lives near a major zoo, or can afford the admission price even if they do. And many adults learn a great deal from these too, & they vote! I hope you're all speaking up about this to your local representatives. We have to work together & keep on them. Because that's what the opposing forces are doing, very successfully, so far. And support USARK!