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Usark- new alerts!
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We are posting our new alerts first. Previously announced alerts are further down.
ALERT: Eureka, California
ALERT: New York
New York Senate Bill 4840 (S4840) is a "traveling animal act" ban that would prohibit exhibition and even educational programs with many species (list included). These species are already very heavily regulated and current laws apply. The original bill text only applied to "circuses" but it was just amended (changed) and now covers "traveling animal acts" (meaning any transportation of animals to an exhibit or program).
Website Alert: https://usark.org/2021-ny2/
Facebook Alert: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3744619872286605Thank you to all of our new and renewing members! We are working to get membership shirts shipped much faster and provide you with better service. We will have our new system in place very soon. We know some members have already been waiting for a while but we will ship shirts in the order of earliest registrations first. Thanks for your patience and understanding, and thank you again for your support! USARK is not possible without your memberships, donations, and backing. Have a good day. ALERT: Florida FWC Passes Ban
ALERT: Illinois Animal Program Ban
Illinois House Bill 3889 (HB3889) is a broad-sweeping ban on “traveling animal acts” which would include educational animal outreach and other programs which include any species not native to the United States. Animal rights and pseudo-animal welfare groups will again feed the legislators false propaganda and misinformation, so we must do our job to educate legislators properly. This bill amends the current law that forbids using elephants in such acts.
This goes far beyond animal outreach and educational programs to include bans at 4-H, county, and state fairs, along with other traditional animal exhibitions of common livestock species. Please see the links below for full details.
Very basic summary: - Ban on any animal species non-native to the U.S. being transported and then viewed by any audience;
- the only exemption applies to programs in which the animal is not transported at a “non-mobile, permanent institution, or other facility;”
- violation penalty is up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine (Class A misdemeanor);
- This bill amends the current law (720 ILCS 5/48-11) which only applies to elephants but would include ALL non-native species and those of a “foreign character” if it passes.
ALERT: New York State Animal Shipment Ban
New York Assembly Bill 4611 (A04611) has broad sweeping negative impacts on many animal interest groups including farmers, bird breeders, reptile keepers, mammal breeders, pet stores, and more. This bill seeks to ban the shipping of all mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. This includes shipments into and from the state (both import and export). Per the bill, shipping via any “mail carrier” will be banned which includes not only USPS but also the commonly utilized overnight services from major carriers such as FedEx and UPS.
A04611 was assigned to the Assembly Agriculture Committee. Fines can be $1,000 per violation. Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal introduced the bill and she sits on the assigned Agriculture Committee. The Committee members must be made aware of the broad sweeping repercussions of this bill and informed of the many shipping regulations, restrictions, and safeguards already in place.
Website Alert with more details: https://usark.org/alert-2021-ny/
Facebook Alert Post: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3671097862972140/Read the full alert at https://usark.org/2021-sc-tegu.
UPDATE from 2/18/21: The SCDNR Board voted in favor of the tegu ban at their Board meeting. This new regulation must still go through the legislature before it would be effective. We will have more details when available.
All details can be found at https://usark.org/2021-sc-tegu.The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has proposed a ban on the Argentine black and white tegu. This species would be listed as Restricted Nonnative Wildlife. The regulation will include restrictions on possession, sale, offer for sale, transfer of possession, import, release, reproduction, and escape of designated species and associated permitting. The deadline to comment is January 25. More details at the link above.
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/3623566931058567. ALERT: Oregon Animal Program ban
Read the full alert at https://usark.org/alert-or-2021/.
UPDATE: HB3008 is assigned to the House Committee On Agriculture and Natural Resources. Please send your comments to Committee members even if you already contacted the sponsor! All contact details are under the Sample Messaging section of the alert at https://usark.org/alert-or-2021/.
Oregon House Bill 3008 (HB3008) has been introduced by Representative Nosse. HB3008 prohibits using certain animals (list at link above and even includes tortoises and small monitors) in traveling animal acts, which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers. Essentially, animals could only leave your home for veterinary visits.Regardless of what species are involved, this bill is unnecessary, redundant, and a waste of Oregon tax dollars. Animal welfare laws are already in place and measures like this bill only punish responsible citizens instead of actually penalizing criminals.The unintended consequences are many. It is a ban on taking a Greek tortoise into a classroom for an educational program about turtles and tortoises. It is a ban on taking a dwarf monitor lizard into a library or to a Scout troop meeting for an educational show discussing reptiles.On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3634347109980549/. Read the full alert at https://usark.org/action-alert-h-r-2603/.
UPDATE 2/9/21: The SAVES Act has been re-introduced this session in both the Senate and House. S276 and HR930 would amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to prohibit the listing of living nonnative species as threatened or endangered species. S276 was introduced by Texas Senator Ted Cruz. HR930 was introduced by Texas Representative Louie Gohmert.
U.S. Representative Biggs (Arizona) has introduced HR48. This is an act to amend the Endangered Species Act to prevent a species that is not native to the United States from being listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, to prohibit certain types of financial assistance, and for other purposes.HR48 amends the Endangered Species Act by adding this text: “(D) NOT NATIVE SPECIES.—The Secretary may not determine that a species is an endangered species or a threatened species pursuant to section 4 if such species is not native to the United States.”
For many reasons, ESA should not include nonnative species but should focus entirely on native species. America must more efficiently utilize and protect the resources we have. We must tighten the reins and terminate wasteful expenditures of our money and energy. Regarding this issue, that means turning ESA’s focus solely to native species, while collaborating with CITES for nonnative species matters.The linked webpage at https://usark.org/action-alert-h-r-2603/ provides a historical record of previous bills with the same intent but the messaging remains relevant. We will post an alert specific to HR48 soon. Read the full alert at https://usark.org/future-pandemics-act/.
This bill has been introduced again by Representatives Mike Quigley and Fred Upton. This Act has been introduced in both the House and Senate. The Act is reported to “address the public health risks posed by wildlife markets, and for other purposes.”Stakeholders and advocacy groups representing affected members, including USARK, have been working to educate Congress about issues revolving around zoonoses (diseases or infections that are naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans) and animals. While animal rights groups flagrantly called for blanket bans on everything associated with animals, including pets, our side worked to educate rather than practice scare tactics...
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/3334231926658737/. Read the full alert at https://usark.org/2021_ny_ab2054/.
Assembly Bill 2054 was introduced on 1/14/21 and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation. While the bill, as introduced, may not have overreaching consequences for herpetoculture, it is important to be aware and informed.The bill would provide that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation must create an animal importation ban list by December 31, 2022. Initially, the list would include all bats, rodents, and primates (unless the species is listed as exempt). The Department may include other species if it determines that “prohibiting the importation into the state is necessary to protect public health and safety, native wildlife or fish, or agricultural interests of the state.”A second portion of the bill covers “live animal markets.” The market definition is “a retail food market where, in the regular course of business, animals are stored alive and sold to consumers for the purpose of human consumption.”AB2054 will need to be monitored to address possible unjust species listings. For example, banning the importation of all rodents is beyond problematic but there would likely be species exemptions. The same bill was introduced late last session as AB11144.
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/3615810541834206. |
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Heads up, if you're in Eureka, California: Note this excerpt > > >
- Squamata (e.g. lizards and snakes) are allowed with the following exceptions: (a) snakes where either the female or the male of species exceeds or will exceed 10 feet in length from nose to tip of tail before or at maturity; (b) front fanged venomous snakes and (c) heloderma and (d) lizards where neither the female or the male of the species exceeds or will exceed 8 feet in length from nose to tip of tail before or at maturity; PLEASE NOTE: An earlier draft had a ban on snakes and lizards over 3′ long. Even if you owner these small snakes and lizards, you need to voice your concern. There should NOT be any length limit as long as the animal is responsibly housed in an “escape-proof enclosure” that allows for proper animal welfare.
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Wow, that Eureka one is horrific sounding. That's a pretty rural area. Surely a lot of people keeping goats and pigs and things like that listen in the ban. 10 animal cap for rodents, squamata, arachnids and INSECTS!? That's absolutely insane. You couldn't even breed your own feeder insects or rodents based on that text.
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikkubus
Wow, that Eureka one is horrific sounding. That's a pretty rural area. Surely a lot of people keeping goats and pigs and things like that listen in the ban. 10 animal cap for rodents, squamata, arachnids and INSECTS!? That's absolutely insane. You couldn't even breed your own feeder insects or rodents based on that text.
Yeah, that's totally outrageous! 10 rodents or reptiles is TINY (both in overall size as well as having virtually NO "impact" to neighbors) compared to the max of 6 mini goats, mini-pigs, or dogs! :confusd:
That makes NO sense, other than the fact that those writing these changes don't LIKE creatures in the first group...ya think?
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Yeah, that's totally outrageous! 10 rodents or reptiles is TINY (both in overall size as well as having virtually NO "impact" to neighbors) compared to the max of 6 mini goats, mini-pigs, or dogs! :confusd:
That makes NO sense, other than the fact that those writing these changes don't LIKE creatures in the first group...ya think?
Has to be either that or people trying to make the claim "nobody has time to properly take care of that many animals" because they are ignorant and do not realize how different they are to take care of compared to a dog.
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Hey everyone...just remember that when you send comments about any of these issues to keep it "professional" & polite...don't just go off on them about how you feel, & don't give them any reason not to listen to you. In other words, don't use words or tone that I'd have to nag you for here. ;) Trust me, that won't help- you need to stick to rational issues with what they're trying to do. I understand how you feel, believe me, but what actually gets listened to is mature reasons, not rants.
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikkubus
Wow, that Eureka one is horrific sounding. That's a pretty rural area. Surely a lot of people keeping goats and pigs and things like that listen in the ban. 10 animal cap for rodents, squamata, arachnids and INSECTS!? That's absolutely insane. You couldn't even breed your own feeder insects or rodents based on that text.
I guess if there is a terminate infestation or bugs in your yard they'll fine willy nilly? That is nuts for feeder insects. It's impossible to keep them under 10. A horse ban?? Don't think I've ever seen horses be BANNED. The massive ban list is crazy and authoritarian. Sounds like they don't want breeders or animal businesses of any kind. Let alone pet owners.
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So what's wrong with having horses, ponies, or burros in Eureka? Are the growers afraid the animals will eat all their "product"? My older brother lives there; I wonder if he knows about this.
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spicey
So what's wrong with having horses, ponies, or burros in Eureka? Are the growers afraid the animals will eat all their "product"? My older brother lives there; I wonder if he knows about this.
Time for a call or an email, I guess. Many times these things get passed "under the radar" when everyone's distracted by other things...like, oh you know, a pandemic or something. They might even try to half-heartedly blame the animals FOR the pandemic? :rolleyes: I hope they get this stopped & sorted out, it makes no sense.
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Time for a call or an email, I guess. Many times these things get passed "under the radar" when everyone's distracted by other things...like, oh you know, a pandemic or something. They might even try to half-heartedly blame the animals FOR the pandemic? :rolleyes: I hope they get this stopped & sorted out, it makes no sense.
Its funny that you say that, I'm by no means a conspiracy theorist, but I often wonder when a big news story breaks and runs for a few weeks and then just vanishes, what laws got passed without anyone paying attention. Obviously Covid isn't a conspiracy, but same principle. Can lawmakers institute changes like this while their voters are focused on other things, scary to think about.
As far as the Eureka deal, that seems way over the top. I mean the NY ban was a big deal and I thought that it was outrageous, but this one seems targeted like they have a purpose in mind they're not talking about. What harm could having a ton of feeders possibly have? I've got probably thousands of dubias sitting behind me, safe in their bins, and I promise none of my neighbors know or care about them.
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugsplox
Its funny that you say that, I'm by no means a conspiracy theorist, but I often wonder when a big news story breaks and runs for a few weeks and then just vanishes, what laws got passed without anyone paying attention. Obviously Covid isn't a conspiracy, but same principle. Can lawmakers institute changes like this while their voters are focused on other things, scary to think about.
As far as the Eureka deal, that seems way over the top. I mean the NY ban was a big deal and I thought that it was outrageous, but this one seems targeted like they have a purpose in mind they're not talking about. What harm could having a ton of feeders possibly have? I've got probably thousands of dubias sitting behind me, safe in their bins, and I promise none of my neighbors know or care about them.
As to the first part- it's been apparently happening, actually- legislation after distractions ("look over there!") but I don't want to get into politics here...it's not a "conspiracy" theory either, just more of an observation- putting 2 & 2 together. It's why we always need to pay attention to news. I know I haven't always done so either, certainly not when I was working full-time- between work & all my animals, news wasn't my focus, exhaustion was, lol. I know better now. ;) It also might not be about passing a law, but in some cases distracting from a scandal. :rolleyes:
Feeders of all kinds...I agree, who cares? I don't understand where any of that is coming from. I just truly hope they can get it stopped. I used to raise my own mealworms too, when I kept geckos...gosh, that could be a big-time crime now, eh? :confusd:
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
I used to raise my own mealworms too, when I kept geckos...gosh, that could be a big-time crime now, eh? :confusd:
Oh I know it, you can breed mealworms on a massive scale with next to no space. Am I gonna get the door kicked in for my poor beetles? :O
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
I hope it doesn't HIT GA cause they will have to kill me before they take my child away from me. I will fight to keep zombie.
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Normally I tend to keep to myself regarding reptile policy thoughts, but I think there are actually some interesting public policy things to learn here for those who may be interested.
Regarding Eureka: this policy action is an overall updating of city animal ordinances. It sounds as though this is just for the City of Eureka proper -- and not the overall Eureka metro area -- so I imagine the proposed bans and caps are designed with the hope of keeping nuisance-level animal situations from developing within the city, like animal hoarding. The overall tone of the proposals strike me as more of a "no annoyingly large animals or collections, please!" type of thing versus animal rights/"you shouldn't be allowed to keep that EVER!" Livestock bans within city limits are actually pretty common, so seeing that isn't a surprise. The overall "large animal" ban -- which includes the giant snakes and crocodilians -- isn't much of a surprise either. Large animals and their maintenance tend to present more of a nuisance in dense(r) cities than they do in the country. As for the insect thing, I wouldn't be surprised if they were just lumped in with everything else, and that city council folk would be open to changing their minds after talking with people. Again, this sounds like this is just a case of local government updating ordinances to keep up with the times and prevent nuisances, and not them trying to step on peoples' rights.
Regarding all the other stuff: I get the impression that all of these travelling animal show and animal shipping bans stem from Tiger King. In officials' to limit the big cat/related exotics trade, other species have inadvertently been caught up. Travelling animal show regulations are probably designed to stop mobile cub petting operations and circuses with sub-par husbandry, while animal shipping bans probably want to stem the trade of big cats. In many cases, the initial drafts of laws are unknowingly written too broadly, since lawmakers are not normally subject matter experts in what they're attempting to regulate. This is why legislative bodies often have their own research support bodies, seek public comment on proposed laws, listen to various lobby groups, etc. Making good policy takes time, and in the vast majority of cases, spur-of-the-moment and first attempts don't meet muster and end up dying. A lot of policy proposals can be described as good intentions, but poor execution.
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I'll admit I'm not familiar with Eureka & I hope you're right [WrongPython] about these new rules being just for the city proper -but I don't really know that, one way or another. If true, certainly I'd agree that horses & other livestock have no place living in town. But there's a lot more there to be concerned about, & it's all too easy for those who don't like snakes & other reptiles (etc) to push for a ban when they're already in the majority & reptile-keepers in the minority.
Also, as far as banning animal shipping & traveling, if that stands it also prevents someone like me from taking (non-native?) snakes to give a local requested snake education program, either to a classroom or to a local fair (as I've done for years). I'm not in that area affected, but just explaining why we'd be concerned if these kinds of laws keep passing.
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Yes, the "slippery slope" of bans is definitely something to be mindful of. Within the realm of reptiles, it's not just people who just don't like herps who may try to take advantage of this, but larger animal rights groups as well. I personally think the former will be less of a problem over time - as more and more people keep reptiles, they're starting to become mainstream pets, and (hopefully) less controversial. In a couple decades, the people who "just don't like herps" and want them banned from their neighborhood may be viewed on par with people who "just don't like dogs" or "just don't like cats" and would like a similar ban (yes, said people exist). Animal rights groups, on the other hand, probably won't be going away, and are the likely to be the greatest political thorn in pet owners of all stripes' sides.
I'm not totally familiar with the New York shipping ban, but those certainly sound like activities it would (likely accidentally) outlaw. In theory, even similarly innocent things such as trailering your horse to a horse show or non-local vet/farrier could be as well. This is why speaking up and contacting your lawmakers is so important - they may not realize the consequences of the policies they've proposed and quickly change their minds when enough constituents disapprove!
For those who would like to start participating and weighing in on the reptile-related policy-making process (beyond supporting USARK), Clint's Reptiles just put out a great video ("Can We Save The Reptile Hobby?") on the subject that I highly recommend! For those who may be hesitant about being politically active, remember that even the little things can help. Show people how reptiles are a beloved member of your family (like any other pet), be a good ambassador for the hobby, and welcome those who wish to join us! All those little acts can add up :)
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Time for a call or an email, I guess. Many times these things get passed "under the radar" when everyone's distracted by other things...like, oh you know, a pandemic or something. They might even try to half-heartedly blame the animals FOR the pandemic? :rolleyes: I hope they get this stopped & sorted out, it makes no sense.
As I've said before, that's exactly what they're doing in a roundabout way (a common reasoning for many of these new law proposals are via the guise of "future pandemic prevention"). I won't go into details as it'd go far too deep into politics, but this rampantly amped up war on animal ownership is but one of many incredibly insidious operations our governments have been up to for the past year as they take full advantage of the public's gullible and easily distracted attention during this never-ending virus fiasco.
Never let a crisis go to waste...
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Does anyone have an update on this? Did the bill pass?
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Which bill, might I ask?
The USARK website main page and their Facebook post updates on the legislation they're following. If there's been any movement on the bill in question, there will probably be an update there.
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by WrongPython
A lot of policy proposals can be described as good intentions, but poor execution.
And it's the execution that comes around to bite us all in the rear.
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Re: Usark- new alerts!
https://usark.org/2021-ca/
Just wanted to share this as well, a California place holder bill was introduced in February but the text wasn't posted until March 4th. This is what a lot of us are talking about as you read into it, talking about banning certain species that "may" be responsible for the spread or "may" possess zoonotic diseases.
From USARK
The overall concern of this bill is an overreaching, knee-jerk approach to live animal zoonoses. Animal rights and deceitful “enviro” groups are capitalizing on the COVID-19 crisis in efforts to ban all animals from our lives. It does not matter if the animals are bred under human care. Even domesticated species bred domestically are being attacked. These groups want them all banned and they are spreading misinformation widely and spending millions of dollars to lobby legislators. So while SB376 does not seem too concerning, there are risks involved with it as well as the many other proposals we will see at all levels of government.
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