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  1. #1
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Usark- new alerts!

    We are posting our new alerts first. Previously announced alerts are further down.

    ALERT: Eureka, California

    Bans and pet/animal limits! The proposal would ban many species. It also sets arbitrary numbers on how many animals you can have. The hearing is on Tuesday, March 9 via Zoom. Written comments can be submitted to cityclerk@ci.eureka.ca.gov.

    Website Alert:https://usark.org/2021-eureka/

    Facebook Alert:
    https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3745814392167153
    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/3744619872286605
    ALERT: Non-herp bills
    Kansas: Senate Bill 269 is banning wolves (excluding hybrids) and non-human primates. Amends current law.
    LINK: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb269/

    Colorado: SB21-135 is a traveling animal act ban for the listed species.
    LINK: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-135
    Shipping Live Herps Responsibly and Ethically
    Animal welfare is both a priority and a special concern when shipping live reptiles and amphibians. When conditions around shipping pose a hazard that cannot be otherwise mitigated, reptiles should not be shipped.

    Read our full statement at https://usark.org/2021-safe-shipping/.
    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3737466813001911/.
    Membership Shirts
    Thank 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
    The FWC Commissioners voted to move forward with the ban. We will post more details soon. To understand what has happened, read our summary of the new rules at https://www.usarkfl.org/rulemaking-update-2.
    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:
    1. Ban on any animal species non-native to the U.S. being transported and then viewed by any audience;
    2. the only exemption applies to programs in which the animal is not transported at a “non-mobile, permanent institution, or other facility;”
    3. violation penalty is up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine (Class A misdemeanor);
    4. 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/
    Texas
    Read more athttps://usark.org/2021-tx/.

    Texas House Bill 2326 (HB2326) and Senate bill 840 (SB840) update the taxonomic nomenclature for the already regulated Burmese python.

    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3730113700403889/.
    Minnesota
    Read more at https://usark.org/2021-mn/.

    The regulation and permit would cover state native species only and addresses a current problem. Under current state law in Minnesota, most native herps are classified as "protected wild animals" under CHAPTER 97A. GAME AND FISH of state statute. The bill provides the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources with new authority to permit possession for state native snakes, lizards, and salamanders.

    On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3726897627392163/.
    ALERT: South Carolina tegu ban
    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/.
    HR48 “American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act” and the SAVES Act (UPDATED)
    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.
    Federal: Preventing Future Pandemics Act of 2021
    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/.
    ALERT: New York AB2054
    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.
    Find A Vet

    Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661.










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    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  3. #2
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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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.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  5. #3
    BPnet Veteran nikkubus's Avatar
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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.
    7.22 BP 1.4 corn 1.1 SD retic 0.1 hognose

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  7. #4
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Re: Usark- new alerts!

    Quote Originally Posted by nikkubus View Post
    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!

    That makes NO sense, other than the fact that those writing these changes don't LIKE creatures in the first group...ya think?
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  9. #5
    BPnet Veteran nikkubus's Avatar
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    Re: Usark- new alerts!

    Quote Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    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!

    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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  11. #6
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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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.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  13. #7
    BPnet Veteran Trinityblood's Avatar
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    Re: Usark- new alerts!

    Quote Originally Posted by nikkubus View Post
    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.
    Last edited by Trinityblood; 03-04-2021 at 03:41 PM.

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    BPnet Veteran Spicey's Avatar
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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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  17. #9
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    Re: Usark- new alerts!

    Quote Originally Posted by Spicey View Post
    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? I hope they get this stopped & sorted out, it makes no sense.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  19. #10
    BPnet Veteran Hugsplox's Avatar
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    Re: Usark- new alerts!

    Quote Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    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? 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.
    Last edited by Hugsplox; 03-05-2021 at 11:33 AM.

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