The guilt thread, did you donate in hopes to overturn the lacey act additions?

For anyone living under a rock in the reptile hobby, here is a summary of what has been going on:
http://youtu.be/guhvCMVq6Cg

I know everyone has their own opinion about how issues should be handled and I personally don't think USARK has done everything correct. To generalize the whole issue though, I do agree that it sounds like this lawsuit is our best chance to right the wrong and prevent any other wrong. Big snakes are the easy target, people fear them, media plays this fear, snowballing issue. However the lacey act doesn't care how dangerous an animal, one of it's main notes is to prevent invasive species from becoming invasive. Without typing a mile long post, it comes down to this: after the easy targets are added, how long until ball pythons are considered invasive? How long until our entire hobby is considered invasive? It has nothing to do with the threat on humans that is brought up constantly. Even if you have zero interest in big snakes, like me, I still feel this needs to be squashed now or the hobby is going to be black market only eventually. I don't wish to see that.

I realize everyone is in a different state economically but I don't believe there is anyone who cannot donate a dollar, this forum has nearly 50k members, yes I realize some are not active accounts, but still, it would be quite the donation if everyone donated just one dollar.

So here is me making you feel guilty, where's your dollar? http://usark.org/reptile-defense-fund-2/
http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/...psrfmouf1w.png

I donated yesterday and renewed my Bronze Membership. It's not much, but every little bit helps. And at this point, this really is the best way to make a difference. Everybody donate! :P

There is also this that haa been going around as well.

https://www.change.org/p/u-s-house-o...src-custom_msg

Is there an address we can mail money to? (I don't have a bank account or paypal)

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Originally Posted by Daniel.michelle

There is also this that haa been going around as well.

https://www.change.org/p/u-s-house-o...src-custom_msg

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This will not do anything, it is beyond the petition point, the ONLY hope is USARK and supporting the lawsuit, sure it's not gonna hurt to sign but if everyone signing would give to USARK instead it would accomplish a lot more.

I understand the good intentions but those petitions popping here and there making people believe that they are helping will not accomplish anything, people need to join USARK and donate.

I know, but it can't hurt. Plus it's just a click, it's more for awareness of it.

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Originally Posted by Daniel.michelle

Is there an address we can mail money to? (I don't have a bank account or paypal)

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From their web site, the address on their financial statements is:
UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF REPTILE KEEPERS, INC
5813 CAROLINA BEACH ROAD
WILMINGTON, NC 28412

Don't send cash, go to the post office and get a money order.

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Originally Posted by Daniel.michelle

I know, but it can't hurt. Plus it's just a click, it's more for awareness of it.

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Yes and no, the problem is that right now I have seen 2 different petitions and more will likely pop up over the next few days. I understand they are well meant but sadly a lot of people signing those will feel like "oh well I did my part" and it will make people feel good thinking they made a difference.

The awareness should be about USARK, their mission, and how people can really help.

It's about telling people about USARK some still do not know about it, volunteering time at their table when they are present at a show, joining, donating money, supporting auctions etc.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

From their web site, the address on their financial statements is:
UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF REPTILE KEEPERS, INC
5813 CAROLINA BEACH ROAD
WILMINGTON, NC 28412

Don't send cash, go to the post office and get a money order.

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i found this address in their website but is not the same as your
USARK Reptile Defense Fund
3650 Sacramento Drive
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Heres the link http://usark.org/reptile-defense-fund-2/

How can i donate using my Bank account only, i dont have a paypal account😔

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Originally Posted by fLako0aGuiiLaR

i found this address in their website but is not the same as your
USARK Reptile Defense Fund
3650 Sacramento Drive
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Heres the link http://usark.org/reptile-defense-fund-2/

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That's probably the correct one to send a check or money order.

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Originally Posted by fLako0aGuiiLaR

How can i donate using my Bank account only, i dont have a paypal account😔

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with a credit card you can move money through paypal without a paypal account

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

with a credit card you can move money through paypal without a paypal account

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Ok im try to do it right now following the direction on ther webpage if not i guess i send a money order to the address the have in there

This is another GREAT thread, and we really should get all the "Donate to USARK " threads consolidated somehow if possible.

Joining the organization and making a separate donation to the Reptile Defense Fund is not rocket science.

If you can join this board and make posts, you can certainly figure out the USARK site.

Signing a petition is a nice idea but a legal battle costs money. That doesn't mean YOU as an individual carry the whole thing on your shoulders, but WE as a group can give it our best run.

We are fighting for the past, present and future of this hobby. Your "safe to own" species might be a target in the future.

Personally sitting back and keeping my fingers crossed wasn't cutting it. I joined and donated today.

This is where we all have to come together, unite and give it a go, or we're going to watch this hobby fall apart in front of our eyes.

Donate!!

Donated a little yesterday, but not the first time I have donated, anyone fighting for our hobby should be supported, doesn't seem like there's many on our side.

I've been rockin my old USARK t-shirts the past couple of days. Anything to help get the word out there! :D I also make sure that all family and friends know exactly what is going on and how they can help. There may also be mention of the fact that if they love me and care about people's rights, they'll donate? :oops::P

I plan on becoming a bronze member of USARK next month and donating some money also.

In case you don't get the news letter:

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Lawsuit Update

USARK continues work to finalize our amended complaint and proceed. The addition of Reticulated pythons and Green anacondas as injurious under the Lacey Act is unjust and is not supported by valid science. USARK will prove these points in court.

We have not deviated from our original plan following the FWS announcement to add species in trade and will provide updates as soon as they can be announced. Please know that USARK is working diligently to protect all corners of the herp world. The government overreach of listing these large constrictors is unacceptable. In addition, we will seek relief for those affected while our case proceeds.

How can you help?

We are looking for pet owners or breeders who have been, or will be impacted by the FWS ban on interstate transportation of these species. If you qualify or know someone who meets one of the below situations, contact USARK immediately at info@USARK.org:

1. A pet owner or breeder who has any of the listed species and has a veterinarian in another state.
2. Military personnel who may be transferred and unable to take a listed species across state lines, or has already had to re-home a pet.
3. A veterinarian who may have a significant client base who brings any of the listed species to his/her office from another state.

The above can pertain to any listed species, namely: Reticulated pythons, Burmese pythons, Indian pythons, Green anacondas, Yellow anacondas and Northern/Southern Rock pythons.

Donate to the USARK Legal Defense Fund

Information for making donations online and via check/money order can be found at www.usark.org/reptile-defense-fund-2/. You can make one-time, weekly, monthly or annual donations. You can also include a message that will be posted on the Legal Defense Fund Donor Wall at http://www.usark.org/usark-announcem...se-donor-wall/ for all to see. You can even choose to make your donation or donation amount anonymous. Thanks for your support as we battle FWS to restore the freedoms of the Reptile Nation.

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I joined and plan to donate at the beginning of next month... I'd love to do the monthly thing, but did the one-time joining for now. Can you sign up for the monthly "membership" in addition to the one time thing?

It has been too long in coming... With all the reptile owners, I'm surprised that USARK isn't larger than it is. Maybe this will help the community come together as a whole.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

This will not do anything, it is beyond the petition point, the ONLY hope is USARK and supporting the lawsuit, sure it's not gonna hurt to sign but if everyone signing would give to USARK instead it would accomplish a lot more.

I understand the good intentions but those petitions popping here and there making people believe that they are helping will not accomplish anything, people need to join USARK and donate.

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Donated, signed, waiting for my t shirt! I try to mention it in my replies to these threads. :tears:

Just donated. Just can't believe the lunacy of this war on reptiles.

Why is common sense so uncommon these days?

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

Why is common sense so uncommon these days?

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fear

and that applies to many issues outside of the hobby also

Just joined today. Wish I had joined this organization sooner.

Joined and donated!!!

I just joined! :taz:

This may not be the place to put this... But there are SO many USARK / lacey act threads that I don't want to create another one.

Does anyone know of people selling stuff to benefit USARK? I think Cold Blooded Addictions is doing a t-shirt design and donating 25% of profits to them... I also know that someone in the sandboa community (can't remember who... maybe John Berry) is selling the last copies they have of the new sandboa book with proceeds going to USARK.

I'd love to get a great USARK shirt to promo the cause, but apparently USARK is out of stock on the only shirt I found (the red one) and I haven't seen any others.

If anyone else knows of people selling goods with proceeds going to USARK, please post!
Thanks!

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Originally Posted by artgecko

This may not be the place to put this... But there are SO many USARK / lacey act threads that I don't want to create another one.

Does anyone know of people selling stuff to benefit USARK? I think Cold Blooded Addictions is doing a t-shirt design and donating 25% of profits to them... I also know that someone in the sandboa community (can't remember who... maybe John Berry) is selling the last copies they have of the new sandboa book with proceeds going to USARK.

I'd love to get a great USARK shirt to promo the cause, but apparently USARK is out of stock on the only shirt I found (the red one) and I haven't seen any others.

If anyone else knows of people selling goods with proceeds going to USARK, please post!
Thanks!

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I saw an add on Fuana Or Kingsnake where the person said the proceeds from the sale of the snake/s would go to USARK.

There is a facebook auction group that is selling donated animals and other various things for the benefit of USARK.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RAACAUCTIONS/

And I know there is another group with a currently ongoing auction, I just can't find the group... :(

I've seen sales/auctions benefitting USARK listed on The Retic Nation facebook group.

Thanks for the information guys! I will check out the auction when it starts.