Dreams of breeding ball pythons? Kiss them goodbye.

[TheSnakeGeek]

there goes pacman frogs.

[PghBall]

I used the link that Brian (Simple Man) had on FB to send the email

[FireStorm]

Does anybody participate on any other pet forums? I know many of you keep other exotics (mammals, birds, etc). I don't know if any other exotic animal groups are aware of this proposal legislation, but it seems like we might be able to get some support as it may impact them as well.

[FireStorm]

Is there something European snake keepers can do? I assume we don't have any influence whatsoever in the Lacey Act. Or am I wrong?

I am not sure it will help, but I would suggest emailing USFWS even if you are outside the US. I don't see how it could hurt. Here is the contact info, and a version of the letter you can use, in case you don't have one already.

Email Address: prevent_invasives@fws.gov.

Subject Line (please use this as the subject of your email): Categorical Exclusion; FWS–HQ–FHC–2013–N044

As a member of the herpetoculture community I am against the proposed US Fish & Wildlife “Categorical Exclusion” from NEPA mandates and I would like to support Senate EPW Ranking Member Vitter’s request for a 90 day extension on the public comment period.

This type of Categorical Exclusion is too far reaching and without precedent. It could facilitate the arbitrary addition of animals to the injurious wildlife list of the Lacey Act; potentially threatening the entire $1.4 billion annual commerce in reptiles and amphibians. Not only would it negate due process, but it would also negate legal recourse under NEPA. Categorical Exclusion could potentially become a tool to destroy my small business. Please consider the following points:

The proposed categorical exclusion bypasses the requirement to consider economic and social impacts under NEPA.
A categorical exclusion would not allow FWS to fully consider the beneficial impacts of declining to list a species under the Lacey Act.
The proposed categorical exclusion is much broader than any of the other eight exclusions that FWS has approved under “permitting and regulatory functions”.
The FWS’s “extraordinary circumstances” exception to a categorical exclusion is unhelpful because it does not apply to actions with high economic impacts.
Thank you.

[C&H Exotic Morphs]

Does anybody participate on any other pet forums? I know many of you keep other exotics (mammals, birds, etc). I don't know if any other exotic animal groups are aware of this proposal legislation, but it seems like we might be able to get some support as it may impact them as well.

We have sent emails, sent typed letters and shared it every where we possibly can even recruiting friends and family that don't even necessarily like our snakes!
I know USARK is working with PIJAC so hopefully they are spreading the word to other exotic groups!

Hopefully the members here that are part of other exotic forums and groups are sharing this info in those places as well!
It definitely can't hurt!

[angelreg1362]

This makes me so mad. Why are they doing this and what do they think they're going to get out of it? No one realizes what the reptile breeding world is. For some, it's their job. That's how they make their ends meet, like BHB. I bet they don't have a second job. Some people are so ignorant about snakes, and if they come in and try to take my babies away I'll tell them just to hold a ball python and they'll realize what this is. Heck, a dog bite is worse than a ball python bite. this just makes me so mad.

[SapphireTigress1]

Another thing people dont seem to realize about this...Not only have they tried to ban all "exotics", they have attempted to ban all "constricting snakes". Ball pythons, corn snakes, sand boas, etc...pretty much all non-venomous are constrictors. This WILL eventually affect every single person who owns an animal.

[C&H Exotic Morphs]

This makes me so mad. Why are they doing this and what do they think they're going to get out of it? No one realizes what the reptile breeding world is. For some, it's their job. That's how they make their ends meet, like BHB. I bet they don't have a second job. Some people are so ignorant about snakes, and if they come in and try to take my babies away I'll tell them just to hold a ball python and they'll realize what this is. Heck, a dog bite is worse than a ball python bite. this just makes me so mad.

It is US Fish & Wildlife being pushed from the animal rights groups like PETA and HSUS(the true evils for all pet owners)!
Their main goal is to eliminate ALL pets period!
Its just easier for them to start with exotics, spec. our non main stream reptiles especially the larger constrictors because they aren't as popular and have a long standing stigma so a lot of people don't really care about them and don't understand what it really means in the long run.

[FireStorm]

Ug. I guess that version of the letter didn't copy correctly. Let's try this again.

Subject Line: Categorical Exclusion; FWS–HQ–FHC–2013–N044
As a member of the herpetoculture community I am against the proposed US Fish & Wildlife “Categorical Exclusion” from NEPA mandates and I would like to support Senate EPW Ranking Member Vitter’s request for a 90 day extension on the public comment period.
This type of Categorical Exclusion is too far reaching and without precedent. It could facilitate the arbitrary addition of animals to the injurious wildlife list of the Lacey Act; potentially threatening the entire $1.4 billion annual commerce in reptiles and amphibians. Not only would it negate due process, but it would also negate legal recourse under NEPA. Categorical Exclusion could potentially become a tool to destroy my small business. Please consider the following points:

1. The proposed categorical exclusion bypasses the requirement to consider economic and social impacts under NEPA.
2. A categorical exclusion would not allow FWS to fully consider the beneficial impacts of declining to list a species under the Lacey Act.
3. The proposed categorical exclusion is much broader than any of the other eight exclusions that FWS has approved under “permitting and regulatory functions”.
4. The FWS’s “extraordinary circumstances” exception to a categorical exclusion is unhelpful because it does not apply to actions with high economic impacts.

Thank you.

[SapphireTigress1]

So far, I've shared this information on:

*facebook
*my facebook business page
*axolotl forum
*blue tongued skink forum
*Carnivorous plant forum (off topic of course)
*Hedgehog forum
*Deviant Art
*Youtube (a vastly truncated version X_X)
*A random Doberman forum I'm on.

Dont just share with your reptile peeps! Share this EVERYWHERE you possibly can!!!!!!