Is it possible to change laws?

i think that breeders/dealers have the responsibility to educate their buyers on the animals. if they can't or will not, you probably should not support them. the last thing i want is the goverment in my hobby! that would really take the fun out of it.


vaughn

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Originally Posted by lars5277

I am just thinking about retiring and living here in a few years and I want to raise snakes. Just seems like I would have to break the law to do that. I am also opposed to the actions of 1-2 stupid people causing laws that affect millions of normal people.

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That's true, but it's hard to put a blanket condition to fix this issue. I think some of what you propose would be wise for things such as keeping hots or pythons that have the potential to get over say... 20 feet long. :rolleyes:

Okay, now back to my... :beer:

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Originally Posted by kavmon

i think that breeders/dealers have the responsibility to educate their buyers on the animals. if they can't or will not, you probably should not support them. the last thing i want is the goverment in my hobby! that would really take the fun out of it.


vaughn

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I agree with you on that!

The government is already involved in too many aspects of our lives as it is... telling us how we should or should not raise our children and such, etc.. yet, alot of them dont even have kids, or the ones who do, are not raising thier kids, the nanny is... what do they (the bio parents) know about child raising when they dont do it themselves. Who are they do tell others how to do things? When they themselves have no idea, muchless the experience... how about those lovely child protective services ppl, have you ever taken the time to ASK them if they have children of thier own? Well, I have, they claim to be experts..why cause they took some class and rung up a huge bill to get a certificate that says they are an expert? I will tell you this now, alot of them dont even have children of thier own, yet they are making the judgement call to take or not take someones children away.. while we are at it making laws regarding regulations of all things, why not make it a law/regulation that they must have a child/children for x amount of time to gain the knowledge and experience in child raising before they can make decisions for someone else. I realise there are cases out there that a child should be taken out of a home, blatant abuse, yet, look at the snobs who spoil thier children mercilessly b/c they have the money to pay for an item of whatever it is thier kid is whining about to get them out their hair..yet they look at an average person who cannot do those same things, and think we are so bad, our children are abused, etc.. and our children should be taken because we have children calling foul b/c they are not getting thier way while thier rich friend does everytime it whines or snivels. Just another example of crap that goes on.

Should we make laws/regulations/rules for everything, I think not. Big brother is already involved in way too much as is.

here's some food for thought, as herpers i think it is fair to say that we are a very,very,very, small minority in the total population. i'll just make some numbers up! lol let's say that herpers are 1% of the voting population. no matter what rules,permits,education,etc we do or try to do to help/correct things, whatever the 99% want or fear is going to prevail. most people don't give a **** about reptiles and could care less what happens to them or us. i think we should support good breeders/dealers and keep things quiet. the gov. involved or imposing restrictions is not a solution, we have alot of laws/rules already in society, and also alot of crime. just my thoughts.


vaughn

I was just talking to my hubby about this.. he said " I am a machinist... ppl write programs for the machines I run, and they have all these certificates that say they are experts and what not, but I still get programs that I have to go in and fix, they have not ran the machines ever (most of them), dont know the tools muchless the capabilities of the machines.... and they still write bad programs, and we, the machinists have to proof out their work.... not much different than those who make laws regarding herps, how many of them keep or know how to care for herps?"

Well maybe not a law, but requiring pet shops to "offer" the training. I think most people go into pets with the best of intentions but suffer from ignorance. Let the customer decide if they would like to view the video or something. I think even that would help a lot more than having a 17 yr old kid from the pet stop explain all the ways to care for the snake (I know there are some good kids out there I am not slamming them all).

Lars you would be asking for 'untrained' people at pet stores to show a video to 'train people'.....talk about the blind leading the blind....I think pet stores are the source when it comes to causing the problem.....who else pawns off burms to 14 yr. old kids to make a buck?....In Louisiana, I am supposed to have 500 hrs of 'approved' experience, have my home inspected, be placed on a list, have to pay fees and several other things in order to keep large boids legally.....but I could still drive in just about any pet store and purchase a burm...why don't they have to have that experience to sell them?...

...but what to do about that? Ask the government to step in?...ha ha...they don't do their job now.....all you would be doing is asking for more laws and regulations that will be broken...and people that care for their animals and the law will be given the shaft.

...if you are worried about herp laws, I suggest doing two things:
1) Join a larger Herp society in your state. They are reptile owners' voices in politics generally...so get involved
2) Call your state Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries. Each state generally has only 1-2 people that are involved with reptiles. These are great people to talk to. They will generally know of any laws that are being voted on, who is pushing for them, etc. They are also great people to talk to in order to find loopholes in the law that could allow you to own reptiles legally.

Hope that input helps.

The sad thing is I can not vote in the state I live in. If I choose to vote I lose a full ride scholarship in the state I am from. $40K is a lot of money to lose to voice an opinion.

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Originally Posted by lars5277

The sad thing is I can not vote in the state I live in. If I choose to vote I lose a full ride scholarship in the state I am from. $40K is a lot of money to lose to voice an opinion.

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You do not have to vote to make a difference. Voice your opinion....alot of stuff just requires signatures etc....so the support of reptile ownership can be shown to government officials....those two things that I listed are a great start....laws against reptiles are being fought everywhere...so vote in the state that you can too.

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Originally Posted by lars5277

You have to prove you know how to drive before you get a car.

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Just because you know how to drive; doesnt mean you'll do so responsibly. Making people watch a video about snake care and sign a piece of paper; wont make them actually care to care for their snakes.