USARK and OUR community.

I thought I would start a new thread for a new start. A positive discussion about how we can move forward and come together as a community.
(let's leave the drama for the other threads)

I would like to invite the Board of Directors and the new President of USARK, Phil Goss, to come and join us in conversation.

I'll start off by sharing a link.
Herp Nation Interviews Phil Goss.
http://www.herpnation.com/audio/herp...dent-of-usark/

I like that Mr. Goss breeds Boas and I feel that he has something to lose if we all lose.

Here is another link:

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=376916

Haha the contest would be better if the shirts came in white :p
Haven't got mine yet.

Good luck getting to 100!!

There are a couple of good challenges here!!

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=188521

So... I'm not rich by any means and things are even tighter around this time of year. I know some of you are in the same spot as me.
Besides giving money what else do you do to help our little Herp World?

One of my goals for the year is to get more involved. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

Besides giving money what else do you do to help our little Herp World?

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There are many ways you can help, over the years here are the few things I have done in relation with USARK

Renewed my USARK membership each year.

Volunteered time at show working at the USARK table.

Gave animals for auctions.

I think the direction we're heading is positive. I'm going to try and do things around my town, and state, to drum up some support.

The Goss thing, yeah I think it's good. He's in a position to lose, like you said, if the ban furthers; As if he should be required to need motivation, but at least he has it. Like the other thread, I have my personal issues with the fact that he thinks education is the forefront and reptiles shouldn't be an impulse buy while he worked for a company who specialized in impulse buy products and misinformation. I can't tell you how many people buy sand and UVB for leopard geckos because Zoo Med sells them and markets them for Leopard Geckos. They donated $100,000 to USARK last year, that's nice, I would say we wouldn't have some of the problems we have (against the public) if the big names gave accurate information. Though I don't think Zoo Med could make money selling tubs, paper towels, and RBI hides.

I get it, their a business, but my peeves are my peeves.

Let's hope he will come by and address those issues. I sent USARK an ivintation to come here and speak.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

So... I'm not rich by any means and things are even tighter around this time of year. I know some of you are in the same spot as me.
Besides giving money what else do you do to help our little Herp World?

---

I have started doing reptile presentations for my community. I did one for my local cub scout troop last month and the boy scout master approached me about doing one for the boy scouts. I've also been booked for a show with the library in march. I really enjoy talking to the kids about reptiles but I was shocked at how many of the parents that was freaked out in the beginning of my presentation that came forward to ask questions and wanted to touch one or even get a pic holding one. It maybe a small step but I would like to hope that my small contribution will keep my county from turning in another Wilson co. Texas.

I will try to record my next one and post it on YouTube.

I would like to check that out.

I'm not a very good public speaker but I have taken away the fear of snakes on a small group of family and friends.

Talk to your local boy scout master. They have a reptile badge. You can tutor/mentor kids and help them get there badge. That's what I did and it lead to doing presentations on snakes and lizards. I was nervous the first time but I realized its a subject that I talk to anyone about anytime so why would it be any different talking to a group. Kids are a blast. They come up with the craziest questions. Just be prepared for the how do you know its a boy/girl question and think about the age of people you're explaining it to. Lol

This is exactly why we need to back up USARK. This is a DVM speaking. It also amazes me that horses kicking over snake enclosures is considered an actual risk... And those antivenins are so dangerous, lets do away with them altogether. I wonder if anyone has told this guy about the kinds of side effects that chemotherapy has on people?

http://www.wilsoncountynews.com/arti...-native-snakes

I just... I don't even know. Hoping to get other thoughts on it. I was writing up an almost blog entry on facebook just pointing out things that were incorrect (or freaking frightening! Moving backwards up to a STATE level, "non indigenous will help us get support" Uhm, ever owned a cat, dog, horse, or bird?)

Sorry, just floored that this is what actually happens in some of the meetings. We need to get our you-know-what together

I don't get it, don't even know what to say.

I tried again to get through the video and Can't do it. It's very hard to understand them on my phone.

I guess without having the drama, things might be pretty slow in here..? :p
Never heard back on the invitation I sent.

They released a notice that while they aren't being quite as vocal (I've received two new emails from USHA), they are still fighting the good fight. Which, with change in leadership I was hoping for some more communication. The Facebook posts are nice, but I'd like to know more.

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I'm not on Facebook and I have seen post in other forums from people on the B.O.D.
I was hoping they could be vocal here as well.

They've been blowing Facebook up, it is kind of nice to see them active. Whether that continues or not I'm not sure.

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We are planning to go to the local Herp Society meeting next week. We will see how that goes.

Also received an email from Mr. Goss. He said he hopes to have more time to visit us here after things settle down a bit.

Heads up.

I'm sure most of received this email but thought I would post it here.

Email from USARK
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What
Connecticut House Bill 5832 was introduced on January 24, 2013. It seeks to completely ban boa contrictors and Burmese pythons. HB 5832 proposes to amend a general rule to include that “the sale, transfer or breeding of certain exotic animals is also prohibited and to add tigers, mole vipers, boa constrictors, burmese pythons and sea snakes to the list of prohibited animals. . .” The complete text can be found here: http://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/...CT_HB_5832.pdf

How you can help
Follow THIS LINK and send emails to the Connecticut Environmental Committee members. It takes just 30 seconds to protect your rights! Simply fill in your address and hit send. You may personalize the drafted letter if desired. Please SHARE this with others and especially Connecticut residents.

Say NO to CONNECTICUT HB 5832

USARK will follow this bill closely and keep everyone updated. Right now, we must make all Connecticut Environmental Committee members aware of the bill and that we oppose it. Thanks for your support!

Here is the link.

http://usark.org/campaign/connecticu...use-bill-5832/

From USARK

What:
West Virgina House Bill 2209 was introduced February 13, 2013. This bill seeks to make ownership and breeding of many reptiles illegal including; water monitors, crocodile monitors, crocodilians, hundreds of venomous snakes and also many mammals.

A person may not own, possess, keep, harbor, bring into the state or have custody or control of a potentially dangerous wild animal
A person may not breed a potentially dangerous wild animal
A person in legal possession of a potentially dangerous wild animal prior to January 1, 2014, and who is the legal possessor of the animal may keep possession of the animal for the remainder of the animal’s life and shall prove that he or she possessed the animal prior to January 1, 2014 Complete text and list of prohibited animals can be found here: http://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/...09-2.13.14.pdf

How you can help:
Follow THIS LINK and send emails to the West Virginia Committee on Natural Resources members. It takes just 30 seconds to protect your rights! Simply fill in your address and hit send. You may personalize the drafted letter if desired. Please SHARE this with others and especially West Virginia residents.

Link

http://usark.org/campaign/west-virgi...use-bill-2209/

USARK is doing a really great job. They have pumped out output on their face book page. Thing are rolling. And just because we all miss it, here's my drama for the day

I happened to notice the huge jump in "likes" on the Herp Alliance face book page. Anyone notice this? Did you also notice that almost 3,000 of those likes originated in Jakarta? And that another 2,000 + came from South America? Herp Alliance aka Andrew/Erica are so desperate to look relevent they are actually purchasing "likes" for the Herp Alliance face book page. That's a great way to spend donation money that's supposed to be targeted to protect our rights. I told you these people can't be trusted. They are pathetic. Don't send them any money, don't "like" Herp Alliance on face book, and don't fall for the bull that they are looking out for us. They are only looking out for themselves. Support USARK. Thank you

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ken Foose

USARK is doing a really great job. They have pumped out output on their face book page. Thing are rolling. And just because we all miss it, here's my drama for the day

I happened to notice the huge jump in "likes" on the Herp Alliance face book page. Anyone notice this? Did you also notice that almost 3,000 of those likes originated in Jakarta? And that another 2,000 + came from South America? Herp Alliance aka Andrew/Erica are so desperate to look relevent they are actually purchasing "likes" for the Herp Alliance face book page. That's a great way to spend donation money that's supposed to be targeted to protect our rights. I told you these people can't be trusted. They are pathetic. Don't send them any money, don't "like" Herp Alliance on face book, and don't fall for the bull that they are looking out for us. They are only looking out for themselves. Support USARK. Thank you

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Yes Ken, the Herp Alliance is apparently extremely popular with 18 to 24 year olds in Jakarta. Likes were plummeting after Foose-Gate and then within a day or two they shot up through the roof.

Their Facebook page is extremely informative. Today I learned that snakes are safer than having a latex or rubber fetish. God knows what will happen to the herp world if those two bags of wind disappear from the scene.

Adding up the low end totals from the email sent out today, plus a guess at an average of 50 USD per "additional donor", USARK netted $29,545 in donations minimum.

Not a bad outting.

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Please take just 30 seconds to protect your right to keep reptiles. This is especially important for California residents! SHARE!
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Where: California State

What:
California Assembly Bill 339 was introduced on February 13, 2013 and has now been assigned a Committee. This bill would make it illegal to sell reptiles and animals at reptile shows currently held six or more times annually under California Business and Professions Code. It is important to carve out reptile shows from this bill now should definitions for "swap meet" be altered.

Complete text of Bill can be found here: http://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/...2/CA-AB339.pdf

Pertinent California Business and Professions code excerpt can be found here: http://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/...-339-20132.pdf

How you can help:
Do you have 30 seconds? Follow THIS LINK and send emails to the California Committee on Public Safety members. It takes just 30 seconds to protect your rights! Simply fill in your address and hit send. You may personalize the drafted letter if desired. Please SHARE this with others and especially California residents.

Say NO to California AB 339

USARK will follow this bill closely and keep everyone updated. Right now, we must make all California Committee on Public Safety members aware of the bill and that we oppose it. Thanks for your support!

Link here.
http://usark.org/campaign/vote-no-to...mbly-bill-339/

Sent. I think it's important to remember that you don't have to be a resident of that state to support your fellow keepers. We ALL need to protect our rights and help others protect theirs. Just a small way we can all get involved.

Bumping this back up, I'm currently at approximately $50 dollars donated monthly.

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I didn't know USARK existed until just recently, but.. I gave an educational lecture on snakes to a local elementary school's second graders, where I volunteered at. Rosca made an awesome teaching tool with the kids. ;) I think if anyone ever has a chance to teach about reptiles, definitely DO it! It feels very rewarding and it does give back to the community. Several kiddos got over their fear of snakes that day. :)

After I get a new job and settle into my new place next month, I'd love to start a monthly donation.

USARK Fights Cat-X in Washington D.C.

Summer has been a busy time for USARK! In July, USARK President Phil Goss, accompanied by our legal team at Kelley Drye, spent two full days in Washington, D.C. opposing the categorical exclusion (Cat-X) for Lacey Act listings by the Department of the Interior and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Traveling to Capitol Hill, USARK visited with over a dozen House, Senate and key Congressional Committee offices, receiving strong support at every stop. The legal expertise and government connections held by USARK’s legal team are undeniably among the most influential in Washington. As a result of USARK’s efforts, we obtained the signatures of key House Natural Resources Subcommittee Chairmen on a letter to USFWS Director Dan Ashe opposing the categorical exclusion waiver for Lacey Act listings (view the letter HERE). In addition, we spent over an hour formulating strategy with the Small Business Office of Advocacy (SBA) on collaborative efforts to oppose the Cat-X proposal, and ultimately the listing of the remaining animals on the Lacey Act. In support of SBA, USARK requested an extension to the comment period (which was granted and the deadline will be 60 days from the re-opening date). You can use the USARK Action Alert (HERE) to voice your opposition.

USARK was well-prepared and submitted extensive comments before the original deadline. As USARK has previously noted, FWS is proposing a “categorical exclusion” from the National Environmental Policy Act (better known simply as “NEPA”) when it acts to ban importation and interstate trade in reptiles and other species it, in its sole judgment, considers “injurious.” In response, we filed thorough and legally-supported opposition to FWS’ unwarranted and unjustified proposal to exempt Lacey Act listings from environmental and scientific review and public comment.

As USARK observed, FWS lacks the power to declare itself free from NEPA. Ultimately, a court can decide whether the snake listing or any future declaration of a reptile or amphibian species as injurious complies with NEPA and other applicable law. USARK stands ready to uphold these laws, and end and reverse the unjustified snake ban. (Read more concerning Cat-X at the bottom of this email.)

USARK Battles Push to Add Constrictors as Injurious

Additionally, USARK worked with several top reptile breeders in Florida to combat a push by the anti-pet groups before Congress to list the remaining five species of constrictor snakes (including boa constrictors and reticulated pythons) as injurious under the Lacey Act. These groups are seeking assistance from Florida’s Representative Vern Buchanan to gather signatures from colleagues in support of this listing. A letter was drafted by USARK and signed by many of Florida's reptile industry leaders. The letter was personally delivered by USARK’s legal counsel to Representative Buchanan’s office urging him to delay sending the letter from the anti-pet groups until our Florida-based stakeholders can have an opportunity to brief him and present more accurate information on the issue. The USARK Action Alert (HERE) allows you to contact your federal representative and oppose this push by anti-pet groups. USARK also contacted the entire federal delegation with our opposition.

USARK President Presents at International Herpetological Symposium

USARK President Phil Goss headed to New Orleans last week and presented at the International Herpetological Symposium. Goss educated the attendees on the hidden anti-pet agenda threatening our community by non-profit organizations posing as animal welfare groups. The size and influence of this agenda was an eye opener and attendees took note. The call for support and participation from members of the herp community was a recurring theme. If our members sit back and allow these groups to do as they please, the herp community will fade quickly. The question and answer portion following the talk was the most active of any presentation at IHS. Goss also used this IHS opportunity to network with influential members of the herp community and solidify the importance of USARK.

Letter link
http://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/..._Exclusion.pdf

Action alert here
http://usark.org/action-alert/usfws-...l-exclusion-2/

Five bucks a month. Seriously. Just five bucks a month can help USARK out a LOT. If you keep reptiles, they're out there fighting for you. We should ALL be giving up a latte a month (at a minimum) to help the cause. Please don't count on others to shoulder the burden we should all be carrying together.

http://usark.org/membership-signup/b...member-signup/

They take out monthly, automatically even. Can't get any easier than that. :gj:

https://sphotos-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/h...06835159_n.jpg

As of just now.