ALERT: Raleigh, NC Ban
UPDATE: We have fully updated our alert as we received the latest draft tonight. Please read and share if you live in Raleigh so you know what is happening!
If you already emailed or called, read our new alert and do it again. Also, be sure to register to speak at the hearing if you want to make certain Raleigh lawmakers hear you. Remember to be civil and professional at all times.
There are changes and we detail them in our alert (link below). The new term is “wild and dangerous animal" (not "wild or exotic animal") and the definition has changed. There are other changes, too.
Next Raleigh City Council Meeting: Tuesday, August 17, beginning at 1:00 PM
This City Council meeting will be conducted virtually/online. Sign up no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, August 13 for public comment. This is agenda item BB and near the end of the agenda (if they proceed in order).
Website alert: https://usark.org/2021-alert-raleigh-nc/
Facebook alert: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.3619186941496566/4147884385293483 ALERT: North Carolina Animal Bans (state level)
Read the updates from 8/4 on our website (link below).
Some North Carolina legislators are seeking to ban some reptiles and other “exotic” or “dangerous wild” animals. This effort is happening after an irresponsible venomous snake keeper allowed a spitting cobra to escape. This careless keeper violated current state law and now faces at least 40 charges. North Carolina herpetoculturists (not just venomous keepers) and other animal owners should contact their legislators to oppose knee-jerk legislation.
Read our full ALERT with more information, sample messaging, and more at the links below.
Website Alert: https://usark.org/2021-nc/
Facebook Alert: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/4114587065289882/
ALERT: Wake County, NC
USARK Florida Lawsuit Update from July 2
Membership T-shirt Update
Thanks for your support! We just received specific updates from the shipper on July 29. They have 300 orders left to ship out from February. We thought more progress had been made but this is the latest update. We had a delay securing enough shirts for printing as supply is still low due to COVID-related issues and that put us further behind. Shirts are shipping in the order of membership registration date.
There was a disclaimer when you registered at the top of the page that shirts may take 6-8 weeks to arrive and we realize some members have already waited much longer. Our new system will get shirts out much faster after we are done playing catch-up. Our apologies again for the delay but we are working to get all shirts out and to avoid this problem in the future. Have a good day.
ALERT: North Carolina “traveling animal act” ban
House Bill 594 (H594) is another “traveling animal act” ban that misleads as to its intention. This bill, titled “Traveling Animal and Public Safety Protection Act,” includes an introduction rife with misinformation with the intent to spark emotion from the reader. H594 prohibits using certain animals (list at the link and even includes tortoises and small monitors) in "traveling animal acts," which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers. The punishment is a Class II misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
PLEASE READ THE LAST SENTENCE AGAIN! With all of the problems in our world, we actually have to fight a bill that could land you in jail for 60 days because you took a tortoise to a classroom to talk about reptiles.
Full details at the links below.
Website ALERT:
https://usark.org/alert-nc-2021/
Facebook ALERT: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3881285385286719/ Shipping Live Herps Responsibly and Ethically
Find A Vet