Kiss your Hobby Goodbye Part 2

[greenmonkey51]

http://www.defenders.org/resources/p...ention_act.pdf

[AaronP]

They said effecting the economy...are you serious? The pet industry is the 2nd fastest growing industry in the US, a good part of that is the reptile business!

[greenmonkey51]

You better check your facts. Pets arn't the 2nd fastest growing industry. I couldn't even find it in the top 10. Reptiles are about 4th on the list for pet expenditures. Cats and Dogs account for probably half of all the pet business, followed by fish and then birds. I can easily see how an invasive species could hurt the economy. If something was to get introduced that could affect crops that could cripple the economy. Our hobby is all fun and games until you start talking about agriculture.

[jknudson]

That bill is ridiculous, and I'm ashamed to see that a representative from Minnesota is partaking in such a bill.

This bill really doesn't outline specifics, it is just a blanket bill to eliminate any "non-native" wildlife. So...will dogs and cats be illegal? Honestly with as large and powerful as the pet industry is, and the impact that this would have on the industry, and economy, I don't think a bill like this will ever pass.

I would like to know these representative's reasoning for proposing this bill. Personal vendetta against certain groups of animals,? So instead of picking a specific lets just get rid of them all... stupid.

I really wouldn't have such an issue with bills like this if they were directed at geographical locations where some of these "non-native species of concern" could thrive and reproduce. We all know they're talking about animals like the burmese python, indian python, reticulated pythons, and african rock pythons, ala the burm situation in the Florida everglades.

[littleindiangirl]

So, in first reading it, it sounds okay. They are in a sense going to do their homework to identify potentially threatening species....

Then they go on to say that no later than 36 months after the bill is passed... wait? 36 months?! There is NO way they could possibly review every NON native species available for importation or captive breeding and their impact on every single environment in America! How ridiculous!

Also, importers or people with interests have no later than 60 days after the enactment to give proposals for approved species to be on this "list" with supporting documentation!?

So yea... just a front for some stereotypical legislation to take away our rights.

[Shadera]

Does someone have contact info for who and where we need to write to? It seems us bird owners are always having to fight for our rights to keep exotic birds, and I'm willing to fight for my right to keep my snakes as well.

[LAWReptiles]

" ANIMALS IMPORTED PRIOR TO PROHIBITION OF
IMPORTATION.—This Act and regulations issued under
this Act shall not interfere with the ability of any person
to possess an individual animal of a species that was im-
ported legally, even if such species is later prohibited from "

Sounds like they're trying to regulate importation, not ownership. It's not a " Kiss your hobby goodbye " type of thing. If you have snakes, etc. It's not like you will have to give them up. It's still bad, but not as bad as it could be.

[Wh00h0069]

" ANIMALS IMPORTED PRIOR TO PROHIBITION OF
IMPORTATION.—This Act and regulations issued under
this Act shall not interfere with the ability of any person
to possess an individual animal of a species that was im-
ported legally, even if such species is later prohibited from "

Sounds like they're trying to regulate importation, not ownership. It's not a " Kiss your hobby goodbye " type of thing. If you have snakes, etc. It's not like you will have to give them up. It's still bad, but not as bad as it could be.

Actually, if you keep reading it states that no person shall possess, sell, or offer to sell..... any of these animals. You see where I am going.

[littleindiangirl]

Actually, if you keep reading it states that no person shall possess, sell, or offer to sell..... any of these animals. You see where I am going.

and BREED! They say it specifically. They say it several times.. .NO bartering, offering to sell, offering to buy, breeding or importing of the animals that don't make the list.

I think everyone should take a gander and read it, it's a quick read, but makes it VERY clear what it's about. Completely eliminating ALL pets.

If we can't keep native animals without special permits, and in general can't breed or sell them at all... now they're trying to stop us from keeping or breeding non native species... they are in a sense telling us we can't keep anything. That's effed up.

[LAWReptiles]

Sorry missed that