Find all of our alerts at https://usark.org/alerts/.

FWS FOIA Requests
UPDATE 1: We have provided a template letter for those who may be affected. Please utilize this letter to submit your opposition to the release of confidential information by June 11, 2021 (new deadline just announced).

UPDATE 2: FWS just posted another document that extends the deadline to June 11, 2021. Also, it seems an incorrect email address was provided in their original posting. We have the new email address and upload of today's announcement from FWS in our alert (link below).

USFWS released a notice on May 10 regarding the receipt of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for wildlife/flora import and export data stored in LEMIS. This means that businesses and brokers may be subject to having all information from their Form 3-177's released to the requesting parties.

The deadline for affected businesses/brokers to contact USFWS with an objection to the release of certain requested material is June 11, 2021. Objecting may be important to protect confidential and/or proprietary information for businesses/persons who import or export wildlife specimens and flora requiring Form 3-177.Get more details and read the notice at https://usark.org/2021-fws-foia/.

Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/3938459416235982
ALERT: South Carolina
Thanks to the efforts of the Reptile Nation, a backdoor effort to pass an unjust ban on venomous reptiles was stopped three times in three days but it is not dead yet. Dedicated South Carolina herpetoculturists continue their efforts and fight on. Join them to oppose this clandestine attempt at harming responsible keepers. See our updates at the link below.

Read more and take action at https://usark.org/2021-sc-venom/.

Facebook post (for sharing): https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3929072997174624/
Membership T-shirt Update
Thanks for your support! We received specific updates from the shipper on May 11. Membership shirts through 2/21 have been shipped (unless we ran out of your size). Memberships starting on 2/22 will begin shipping as soon as the next shirts are printed. Those shirts are scheduled to be printed on 5/18 and should begin shipping later that week. We had a delay securing enough shirts as supply is still low due to COVID-related issues.

There was a disclaimer when you registered at the top of the page that shirts may take 6-8 weeks to arrive and we realize some members have already waited longer. Our new system will get shirts out much faster after we are done playing catch-up. Our apologies again for the delay but we are working to get all shirts out and to avoid this problem in the future. Have a good day.
ALERT: North Carolina
House Bill 594 (H594) is another “traveling animal act” ban that misleads as to its intention. This bill, titled “Traveling Animal and Public Safety Protection Act,” includes an introduction rife with misinformation with the intent to spark emotion from the reader. H594 prohibits using certain animals (list at the link and even includes tortoises and small monitors) in "traveling animal acts," which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers. The punishment is a Class II misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

PLEASE READ THE LAST SENTENCE AGAIN! With all of the problems in our world, we actually have to fight a bill that could land you in jail for 60 days because you took a tortoise to a classroom to talk about reptiles.

Full details at the links below.

Website ALERT
: https://usark.org/alert-nc-2021/

Facebook ALERT: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/3881285385286719/
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/.
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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