Due to the heavy alert volume this year, we have created an ALERT page on our website at https://usark.org/alerts/. Here you can easily find all current alerts and updates.We are only including updates and new alerts in this newsletter. Previously announced alerts can be found at https://usark.org/alerts/. Please visit that page if you just began receiving our newsletters.
ALERT: Eureka, California
Thank you to everyone involved! Eureka officials have listened to the herpetocultural community's many concerns regarding the last draft of the City's animal ordinance. Changes were still being made on the day of the hearing. A new draft ordinance will be released and our issues have been addressed. The new draft will reflect a common-sense approach to the ordinance revision. We will post updates when available.

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

Facebook Alert:
https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3745814392167153
ALERT: Lacey Act Amendment
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has introduced Senate Bill 626 (S626). This is a bill that would reverse the USARK federal lawsuit victory by reinstating the ban on interstate transportation of species listed as injurious under the Lacey Act. While the text has not been posted, the bill title clearly states the intent: "A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to enhance protections against the importation, and transport between States, of injurious species, and for other purposes."

In our landmark court decision, four federal judges agreed that USARK was correct and that the Lacey Act (Title 18 Section 42) did not ban interstate transportation of injurious species based on the original language of the Lacey Act and the intent of Congress. As a result of this fight for our members and the herpetocultural community, this meant animals domestically bred under human care could be moved and sold across state lines (within the continental United States). For herpetoculturists’ concerns, this included a few species of constrictor snakes and a long list of salamanders. The bill may also contain an "emergency designation" authority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to list species as injurious under the Lacey Act.

Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) is a co-sponsor. S626 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. We will post additional information soon.

Website LINK: https://usark.org/2021-lacey/
Facebook LINK: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3766820980066494
ALERT: California
California Senate Bill 376 (SB376) was introduced by Senator Henry Stern as a placeholder bill in February and the text has now posted. Full details at the link below this summary.SB376 would:1. Require the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) to ban the importation and possession of certain species. The species list must be completed by December 31, 2022. NOTE: Existing law prohibits the importation, transportation, possession, or live release of listed wild animals, except under a permit. This extensive law can be found at Cal. Fish & G. Code § 2116 – 2203 (includes a species list of restricted live wild animals).2. Require DFW to prohibit the importation of species that could possess certain zoonoses. A species would be prohibited if DFW finds the species “could be responsible for a novel, or not previously reported, readily transmissible human disease.” (i.e. COVID-19)3. Prohibit live animal markets from storing or selling invasive species or animals that may be responsible for zoonoses. Current law already defines a “live animal market” as: a retail food market where frogs, turtles, and birds other than poultry are stored alive and sold to consumers for purposes of human consumption4. Require DFW to heighten work regarding wildlife trafficking.Website LINK: https://usark.org/2021-ca/
International Women's Day
March 8 was International Women's Day. We celebrated women who are herpetologists, herpetoculturists (reptile/amphibian keepers/breeders), in the herp veterinary field, field biologists, herp artists/photographers, etc. on our social media pages. See the popular posts at the links below.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3756852597729999

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usark_official/
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.
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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