ALERT: Louisiana UPDATE 10/22/24: Thank you to everyone who showed up and spoke today at the LDWF meeting! You did a great job representing responsible reptile keepers. USARK President Phil Goss was there and reminded LDWF that they are required under state statute to provide science and valid data to support its banned species listings. This has not been done.
The new draft rules will be presented to the Commissioners at the Commission meeting on Thursday, November 7. The Commissioners will vote at that time. Public comment will be allowed. PLEASE ATTEND THIS MEETING AND VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION!
Meeting: Thursday, November 7, 2024 @ 9:30 AM
LDWF Headquarters
Joe L. Herring Room
2000 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Full details at https://usark.org/24_la/.
ALERT: Hancock, MI Read the full alert at https://usark.org/24mi2/.
The Hancock City Council has proposed changes that could affect many people. The draft’s language is too vague and broad, with most species left in a gray enforcement area. If passed, only “domestic pets” (definition at link), up to four poultry hens, and up to six rabbits will be allowed within city limits.
Meeting: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, 399 Quincy St., Hancock, MI. Residents need to attend and voice opposition. We encourage all those who live in Hancock and the surrounding areas to attend, no matter what pets you own.
The comment deadline is 5:00 PM on October 30. Written comments can be mailed/delivered to City Hall, Attn: City Manager, 399 Quincy St., Hancock, MI 49930. Emails may be sent to manager@cityfhancock.net
ALERT: Amelia County, VA Read the full alert athttps://usark.org/24va/.
Amelia County is discussing potential changes to its exotic animal ordinance. Stakeholders should engage in the process.
ALERT: Colorado UPDATE 10/15/24: The stakeholder webinar was today. All PACFA licensees should review the draft changes and submit comments. There may be updated text at the November Advisory Committee meeting.
Read the full alert at www.usark.org/24co2. Below is only a snippet.
The Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) Program under the Colorado Department of Agriculture has drafted new regulations and amendments. Changes apply to herp, bird, fish, and mammal regulations. There is a link in our alert with the changes marked in red and described in detail (last several pages). This is a first draft for review, and PACFA is taking input from stakeholders. We appreciate PACFA working with stakeholders.
Rule changes include:
+ Enclosure requirements and minimum thresholds before requiring a PACFA license for certain reptiles and amphibians
+ Exemptions from sterilization requirements for cats and dogs in shelters and rescues
+ Vaccination requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets imported into PACFA-licensed facilities
+ Adding definitions and rules around foster homes and foster providers |
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NARBC St. Louis Announcements
There will NOT be an auction on Saturday night. USARK will be having a silent auction at our booth throughout the show. Vendors can donate to the silent auction (GREATLY APPRECIATED), and attendees/vendors can bid away. Thank you to all donors and bidders!
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS, TOO! If you want to volunteer, email vanessa@usark.org and see the flyer at the bottom of this newsletter. Thank you!
Get all show details at www.narbc.com.
HUGE SHIRT SALE! We need to make room for our incoming boa shirts. Grab these deals while supplies last. These shirts are incredibly soft and wrinkle-resistant. Limited sizes. Priced at $10-$17!!! FREE SHIPPING! Some styles have already SOLD OUT!
Get these deals at https://usark.org/shop/ or click the shirt image below.
USARK featured in USA Today article! snippet: "Bearded dragons have grown in popularity and are great options for people with limited space, or those who suffer from allergies that are aggravated by dogs and cats, according to the U.S. Association of Reptile Keepers."
Read more of "Meet the 'golden retriever' of pet reptiles, the bearded dragon" at https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/pets/2024/09/20/bearded-dragon-care/75274898007/
CONFERENCES
Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG)
November 20-22 in Mesa, AZ.
The TTPG Conference’s amazing lineup of speakers includes turtle and tortoise experts from around the world. The conference attracts attendees from all over the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. Topics include captive care, nutrition, medical care, captive breeding, incubation tips, raising healthy offspring, enclosure design, and much more. Field trips include visits to private breeding facilities, local zoological institutions, and other interesting experiences, and of course, lots of fun social time is enjoyed by attendees.
Get all details at https://www.ttpg.org/conferences.php.OTHER ALERTS
ALERT: Diamondback Terrapin ESA Listing Snippet: On September 19, 2024, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (informally known as NOAA Fisheries and an agency within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA) to list the Diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA)...
Like many aspects of our world today, ESA must update and evolve. Enacted in 1973, ESA is now outdated and flawed. While well-intended in 1973, and vital for protecting U.S. native species when warranted, the efforts made to protect our endangered species create regulations lacking nuance, which can be harmful to saving species. ESA listings that rely only upon traditional conservation approaches, such as the methodology in this petition, and do not consider our modern world are an illogical dead-end for endangered species.
Read the full alert at https://usark.org/24esa3/.
ALERT: Bill to Add Herps and Fish to the Animal Welfare Act On September 12, Representative Betty McCollum introduced HR9571, which will “amend the Animal Welfare Act to include cold-blooded species as animals, and for other purposes.” This will add reptiles, amphibians, fish, and cephalopods “as animals” under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), meaning the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must develop new regulations. Basically, the USDA would now be required to license and inspect facilities and breeders with these animals. Businesses would need to comply with new USDA regulations or lose their licenses. The USDA recently began inspecting and licensing aviculturists (bird breeders). The bill has been assigned to the House Agriculture Committee. We will post more information when available. Read the bill text at https://usark.org/24us1/.
Snippet: The term ‘animal’ means any live or dead warm-blooded animal (including a dog, cat, monkey (nonhuman primate mammal), guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or bird), cold-blooded animal (including a reptile, amphibian, cephalopod, or fish)...
Light Bulb Ban Read more information with action alert at https://usark.org/24doe/.
In 2022, the Department of Energy (“Department”) passed a regulation that banned certain incandescent light bulbs. Basically, light bulbs are deemed inefficient if they do not emit a certain amount of lumens per watt. This was meant to transition from less efficient bulbs to more efficient lighting, like LED bulbs.
Reptile lighting is a specialty item and is not used for general-purpose lighting in homes and businesses. However, certain bulbs were reviewed solely on how many lumens they produced per watt. Herp keepers know that halogen and basking bulbs are not used in household lamps for general lighting.
Read the rest and take action at https://usark.org/24doe/.
ARTICLE: "Light bulb ban threatens reptile, amphibian welfare" by the Veterinary Infomation Network snippet: "The ban should be a concern of animal caretakers for many species," said Latney, a senior veterinarian at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center who also is chair of the Association for Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). "This is particularly true for captive reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammal species that have limited exposure to natural, unfiltered sunlight."
Read the full article at https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=12254509&f5=1.
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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