ALERT: New Palestine, IN Sample letter, contact info, and more are available at https://usark.org/25in/.
The city of New Palestine, Indiana (just east of Indianapolis) has proposed some bans due to an escaped snake. The proposal includes a ban on ALL reptiles in rental properties, a ban on ALL reptile breeding, a ban on falconry, an arbitrary pet limit of four animals, and more. The city currently has a definition of “exotic animal” that bans all animals not native to Indiana, meaning hamsters, parakeets, all tropical fish, and almost all other pets are banned. While the city is amending that definition and allowing ownership of some animals (although the current ordinance is not enforced), the proposal remains unjust and baseless.
USARK’s Phil Goss was the only person who spoke on the ordinance at the first hearing (which was April 2). The proposal did pass the first vote, but it must pass a second vote to become law. That meeting will be on Wednesday, April 16. The City Council was clear that they are open to amendments if local residents speak up.
This language will pass unless New Palestine residents, other organizations, and experts oppose it. Local residents must contact City Council members ASAP! If you are a non-resident (such as another organization, veterinarian, herpetologist, educator, professor, zoologist, relevant professional, etc.), please compose a letter and include your title and credentials.
What is proposed:
- A ban on ALL breeding of reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals.
- A ban on all reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals in apartments and multi-family dwellings (dictating what property owners do with their rental properties).
- Pet limit of four. Specifically, illegal to own “More than four (4), individually or in any combination, of reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey or exotic animals.”
- A ban on any animal longer or taller than 5′.
- A ban on sales and transfers of all reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals.
- A ban on “dangerous” reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals… Specifically, “Dangerous” shall include, but not be limited to, any reptile, arachnid, bird of prey or exotic animal that due to its size, venom, strength, training, temperament or behavior constitutes a significant or serious risk of physical harm to human beings or other animals.
- No grandfathering provision (with the City’s rationale that all animals not native to Indiana are labeled as “exotic animals” and currently banned, so they should not be grandfathered).
- Ban on venomous animals.
- Ban on public displays and walking around town with your reptiles, arachnids, birds of prey, and exotic animals unless permitted. (An acceptable proposal.)
Facebook alert: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1074026261420469&set=a.615159700640463
Instagram alert: https://www.instagram.com/p/DH_Ru4it3Zu/
other ALERTS & UPDATESFWC Considers Iguana and Tegu Rule Changes Details at: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/proposed-rule-change/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=campaig n
"USARK Florida has been in talks with leadership from MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) on proposed changes to rules affecting Green Iguanas and Tegus in Florida. FWC is considering expanding the abilities of collectors to take wild Green iguanas and Tegus for sale and export." - USARK FL
From MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife:
"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking feedback from all interested parties on proposed rule change concepts relating to nonnative species...
Comments regarding these topics can be submitted through the Nonnative Species Rule Making Comments form or via email at NonnativeSpeciesRules@MyFWC.com." - FWC
ALERT: South Carolina Venomous Ban UPDATE 3/19/25: The hearing was today, and South Carolina venomous keepers showed up to oppose. 16 herpetoculturists spoke in opposition to the bill, and many more were in the room. No one spoke in support. Those who testified represented the responsible reptile-keeping community very well. There was no vote today, and it was stated that there will be a second subcommittee hearing at which a vote will occur. If passed from the subcommittee, the bill would go before the full committee. Good job, and thank you to those who testified today and everyone who submitted written opposition.
South Carolina House Bill 3937 (H3937) was introduced on Feb. 6, 2025, by Representative Hixon. It will ban venomous reptiles (list below). The bill makes it illegal to import into, possess, keep, purchase, have custody or control of, reproduce, or sell within this State. Current owners can get permits and must register their animals within 90 days of the effective date.
Get full details at https://usark.org/25sc/.
ALERT: Colorado UPDATE 3/18/25: The formal proposal has been posted, and a hearing has been scheduled.
Meeting information: virtual meeting
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time
Read the full alert at www.usark.org/24co2.
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.
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/.
ALERT: Connecticut Animal Breeder Regulations
Connecticut House Bill 5902 would ban the breeding of animals unless the person or company is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to create guidelines for the breeding of animals, develop a breeder registry, collect registration fees, and perform annual inspections of such breeders.
Alert at https://usark.org/25ct/.
ALERT: Connecticut Exotic Animal Ban
Connecticut House Bill 5905 would ban the trade of exotic animals.
Alert at https://usark.org/25ct1/.
ALERT: Washington "Do Not Release" Brochure UPDATE 2/18/24: The hearing just ended. HB1976 received only favorable verbal testimony but dozens of people opposed the bill through the online system. USARK testified in favor with suggestions to make the end product better, such as a simpler postcard with basic information, QR code, and accompanying website, which the state already has through its Don’t Let It Loose resource. No vote occurred today.
House Bill 1976 had its first reading today (Feb. 14) and will require pet stores to provide a brochure with all animal and aquatic plant sales. The brochure, produced by the Washington Invasive Species Council, will include information about invasive species, the importance of not releasing animals, and what to do if you can no longer care for animals or aquatic plants.
This will provide education and resources to people buying animals and aquatic plants. If the brochure is done well, this could be a great effort that supports responsible animal ownership.
HB1976 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources on February 18 at 10:30 a.m. Get more information at https://usark.org/25wa/.
ALERT: ESA Modernization Bill
Alert athttps://usark.org/25esa/.
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: 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)...
Read the full alert at https://usark.org/24esa3/.
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.
TAKE A HERP KEEPING SURVEY (and be entered to win cash prizes)!
The survey asks basic questions, including what species you keep, how many, in what types of enclosures, and years of experience. This survey is brought to you by Responsible Reptile Keeping (RRK).
Take the survey at https://survey.responsiblereptilekeeping.com/. Learn more about RRK at https://responsiblereptilekeeping.org/.
The Reptile Talks Registration is open! After a successful first event, it is almost time for the second installment of The Reptile Talks. Join us in Anaheim, California, May 16-18.
This conference is an effort to promote inclusion and provide content that is of benefit to the entire hobby, not just one segment or another. They are doing all of this to promote the responsible keeping of reptiles and amphibians under human care, with all funds left over after operational costs donated to USARK. Thank you, The Reptile Talks!
PLUS, your registration now includes a FREE USARK shirt! Select your size when registering.
Current speaker list:
Philippe de Vosjoli -one of the founding fathers of modern herpetoculture
Mike Stefani - Mike’s Monitors
Ed Kammer -Kammerflage Kreations
Michael Cole - Ballroom Pythons South & USARK FL
Roxana Peña Popo - Research Coordinator at Amphibian Foundation
Ari Flagle - Reptilandia Reptile lagoon
Armen Keuylian - HerpTime
Mark Miles - Pythons by Mark Miles
Bonnie Person - Verdant Vivariums
Cameron Lamb - Cameron Lamb Exotics
Zac Loughman -professor of biology at West Liberty University
Roy Arthur Blodgett - Wellspring Herpetoculture
Schedule:
May 16: evening icebreaker
May 17: talks from 9:00-5:00 and benefit auction at 6:00
May 18: talks from 9:30-5:00
Register and book a hotel room at https://www.thereptiletalks.com/register.
See the speaker list and talk information at https://www.thereptiletalks.com/speakers-1.
Website: https://www.thereptiletalks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thereptiletalks
Instagram: @thereptiletalks
SPRING CLEANING SHIRT SALE! Three styles are available for only $15-$17.50 shipped plus FREE swag!
Click the image or this link to BUY NOW! https://usark.org/shop/
This screen-printed cotton/polyester blend shirt is extremely soft and wrinkle-resistant.
Adeline Robinson created the artwork at https://www.adelinerobinsonart.com.
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. |
Reply With Quote