ALERT: Suffolk County, NY Animal Program Ban
Very basic summary:
- Ban on any animal except domesticated dogs, cats, horses, pigs, cows, sheep, or goats being transported and then viewed by any audience. This applies even for animals born and raised in human care.
- there are very few exceptions allowed: accredited zoos, aquariums, universities, colleges, or other such research facilities or environmental educational programs (note that environmental educational programs are not exempt if doing activities as common as giving animals food or treats);
- each offense holds a fine of up to $2,500.
Resolution Number 1777-2022 is a broad-sweeping ban on “animal traveling performances or shows” which would include educational animal outreach and other programs for most species of animals. The term “wild or exotic animal,” as defined in the proposal, is broad-sweeping. Similar animal performance and traveling animal act bans are being proposed across the country at the local, state, and federal levels. Once again, this proposal uses the language “include but are not limited to” in the definition to make it seem it only applies to a small list of animals, but that is not true.
Read more and take action at https://usark.org/22suffolk/.
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/pfbid02o99AderXr2JjHr4XecHudwA9UcHQk4xFtoty5ihEBdYWFzr7uNUCfUyNEhUoa2KFl
USARK Shirts are Available Online Our shop is open at https://usark.org/product/shirttokay/ (or just click the "Shop" link in the menu) to purchase our current t-shirt (picture at the bottom of this newsletter).
This screen-printed, cotton/polyester blend shirt is extremely soft and wrinkle-resistant with a slightly modern fit (but true to size). U.S. domestic shipping is free! Plus, one USARK sticker per shirt is included.
USARK FL: FWC Commission Meeting The September meeting was canceled due to Hurricane Ian. The next meeting is scheduled for November 30 - December 1 in Panama City. The agenda will be posted at https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/november-2022/.
From USARK FL: USARK Florida has presented a Proposal for the Captive Breeding of Diamondback Terrapins to FWC.
For too long, Florida's reptile breeders have been deprived of the opportunity to economically benefit from this native, non-invasive turtle species.
Bans on the captive breeding of turtles as recommended by law enforcement officials do not have conservation benefits supported by scientific studies.
The availability of captive-born offspring to supply markets has been shown to reduce poaching in other reptile species.
Florida breeders want the opportunity to work with legally acquired captive-bred terrapins, not wild-caught terrapins. They are not asking to work with "wild animals" or "wildlife."
FWC already has a permitting system for captive terrapins that requires detailed photos for identification purposes.
FDACS division of Aquaculture has been very supportive of our proposal and has told us that they can administrate the program so there will be no additional cost to FWC.
Governments and organizations all over the world are embracing captive breeding as a conservation solution.
The government of Colombia has endorsed a captive breeding program for Dart frogs to supply to market with captive-bred animals as an alternative to wild-caught.
Farming and commercialization of many crocodilian species have been recognized by the IUCN crocodilian specialist group as being essential to conservation efforts.
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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