(USARK) Return of the Reptile Super Show Pomona! + NC hearing reminder

[Bogertophis]

Reptile Super Show A reptile show that stretches across acres? Yes. The Reptile Super Show is that big! Not only is it in the largest building at the Fairplex, but it will also be filled with vendors who have been anticipating this show for two years. It has indeed been that long since the last Pomona show and the Reptile Super Show is ready and waiting. "The Reptile Super Show is meant to educate the public about pets they may otherwise never get the chance to know, but we are also passionate about captive breeding and keeping the populations of some of the world’s most interesting creatures alive and well. Educational, fun, and no doubt exciting, the Reptile Super Show is all about showing off animals to the world that deserve our attention. This show opens your eyes to a world you may have previously disregarded. There is no better place to make the decision about bringing home a reptile pet because all of the best animals and supplies are going to be available, along with professional breeders who can educate you about how to properly care for your new family member." The USARK benefit auction is right after the show on Saturday night at 7:00 in the Sheraton hotel next to the Fairplex (601 W McKinley Ave). Stick around and support our work to protect your freedom to have reptiles and amphibians as pets. The auction is FREE to attend and everyone is welcome. We'll have a preview of the many donations at our booth. Just stop by for details. As a preview, Hidden Forest Art Gallery has donated this fantastic piece (pic below). This original oil painting of a Gray's spiny-tailed iguana is valued at $7,500. They are also sending a Panamanian mola quilt and a handmade snake bracelet. Thank you, Gamini and Lisa! These are just some of the hundreds of donations. There will be live and silent auctions, and we'll wrap it up quickly so everyone can enjoy the remainder of the evening. We appreciate everyone who donates and attends as USARK would not be possible without these auctions and our supporters. Thank you to Ramy and the Super Show crew for your continued USARK and herp community support. Get full show details athttps://reptilesupershow.com/los-angeles/. January 22-23 Saturday: 10am-6pm Super Show After Party and USARK Fundraiser: 7:00 pm Sunday: 11am-5pm Pomona Fairplex/Los Angeles County Fairgrounds PARKING GATE 17 1101 W. McKinley Avenue Pomona, CA 91768 ALERT: North Carolina The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has proposed new rules regarding keeping and importing (into North Carolina) reptiles and other animals. The biggest issues for herpetoculture in this proposal include a ban on all tegus and import permit requirement for native herp species. There are also changes to the native turtle species regulation. The comment deadline is January 31, 2022. The hearing date is below. The hearing is virtual and you must register prior. If you have issues with or oppose any of these proposals, you must contact NCWRC and speak at the hearing for there to be any possibility of stopping overreach and unintended consequences. Remember to be civil and professional at all times! Full details (hearing date, Talking Points, proposal text, etc.) at https://usark.org/2022-ncrules/ Facebook alert: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/posts/4605838502831400 Hearing Date: Thursday, January 20, 2022 Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: Register Online at https://ncwildlife-org.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_xHH2QrJXSJig4fEH0-0qgQ National Ban on Animal Programs We have updated our alert to include the House companion bill. Since the Senate and House each have a bill, you should contact your Senators and Representative. Senate Bill 3220 and House Bill 5999 prohibit using certain animals (list below that even includes tortoises and small monitors) in "traveling animal acts," which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers. S3220/HR5999 would amend Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 24 2143) to include this ban on animal programs. This bill, titled “Traveling Animal and Public Safety Protection Act of 2021," includes an introduction rife with misinformation with the intent to spark emotion while misleading the reader. The animal rights groups always fight with emotion over fact and they target legislators who fall for their games or sympathize with the animal rights agenda to remove all animals from our lives. This is an animal rights written bill! A legislator did not author this bill. Animal rights is a radical ideology against keeping any animals under human care (i.e. no pets, no livestock, no zoos, etc.). It is far different than animal welfare which supports animals being kept humanely. Read more and take action at https://usark.org/2021_s3220/. Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/4535634293185155 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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[Bogertophis]

It's a really sad world when they want to stop people from sharing their animals with a classroom of kids- or doing other similar educational programs now & then. There HAS to be a better way of protecting captive wildlife from being mistreated than to prevent good keepers from sharing & educating locals- & putting them in the same category as if they're a non-stop traveling circus.

PLEASE everyone- let your Senators & Representatives know how you feel about this. It's SO misguided! > > > National Ban on Animal Programs

[Bogertophis]

Regarding the National Ban on Animal Programs, notice the link- Read more and take action at https://usark.org/2021_s3220/. -because that makes it very EASY

to look up your Senators & Representative (if you need to) & to use the sample letter to contact them about this issue, using their online websites. Really, it

couldn't be easier- I just contacted (sent letters) to all of mine. Please take a moment to do this- you don't even have to customize the letter unless you want to.

But they need to hear from more of us, & not just the ones who want to do away with all animal programs.

[Bogertophis]

And hey, if for any reason you don't want to contact your senators & representative online, you can easily keep it "short & sweet" by just calling their offices &

conveying a short message about your opposition to this legislation (be sure to have the bill #'s on hand when you call: Senate Bill 3220 and House Bill 5999).


You'll basically just be speaking to someone answering their phones for them- & they do take notes of calls (opposition, or those in favor of various issues) &

then passing that along to the senator or representative they work for . I'll be doing this also, by the way-& when they keep getting "an ear-full" from their

constituents, they start to pay attention. Unfortunately, the "animal rights" groups are very passionate & organized, so even though they don't represent the

majority, they can get things done their way by making the most "noise", so please don't let that happen! SPEAK UP, because once laws like this get

passed, it's SO hard get them un-done!


How many of us got interested in reptiles after seeing an informal program when we were kids in school? (My hand is up...) And the more "battles" that the

"animal rights" groups win, the more we have to lose- remember that as crazy as it may sound, their goal is often to completely do away with keeping pets, &

since more people are into cats & dogs, they start by picking off the less popular pets, namely our reptiles. Please remember how many people still hate or fear

reptiles & amphibians- do you think they'll care one bit if laws are passed against people keeping or sharing them? Need I say more??? Please find your voices

before it's too late. Because if WE don't speak up, who will?


The very nature of our exotic pets seems to attract those of us who "think outside the box" & aren't "joiners" (I'm speaking for myself too)...so please, think

about that, & fight your inner nature to turn away & wait for "someone else to do this", because we all need to be getting involved if we want to keep on

keeping our animals - it's really up to us, & high time to make our voices heard by legislators.