UPDATE: California

[USARK.Jonathan.Brady]

UPDATE: California
Los Angeles County: Ordinance to Amend Title 10 – Animals
Proposed regulatory changes in Los Angeles County could have shut down or forced relocation of Reptile & Tropical Fish breeders, dealers and pet stores. Although primarily aimed towards dogs and cats it would have had a devastating impact on the Reptile Nation in LA County.
If enacted the new regulations would have required:

1. Cages would not be allowed to be stacked.
2. 24/7 staffing if have more than 50 animals in the facility. See proposed Section 10.40.010(Z). If less than 50 animals, you must have adequate staffing for at least 8 hours a day. If you have more than 50 fish, reptiles, birds, etc., or any combination thereof, you must staff the facility 24/7.
3. Records must be kept on each "Animal". "Animals" defined in Section 10.08.020 any animal, bird, reptile or fish.
4. Proprietary business information will be available to the public (that could mean Animal Rights groups).
5. The Department may also impose “reasonable conditions” on a breeding license for any non dog or cat breeder.

Click here to read LA County Regulatory Proposal:
http://www.usark.org/uploads/LAcountyRegs.pdf

USARK engaged on this issue at all levels with staff and leadership at LA County Animal Care & Control and Board of Supervisors prior to hearings that were held March 9th & 10th. On March 9th Christine Roscher testified on behalf of USARK. Christine asked that the ordinance be limited to dogs and cats only. As a result The proposed ordinance was removed from the agenda for the LA County Board of Supervisors for March 16, 2010. The ordinance will be re-evaluated by LA County to ensure that animals “other than dogs and cats” are excluded from the requirements, as appropriate.

This information is from Patricia Learned, Executive Assistant to the Director, Department of Animal Care and Control, Marcia Mayeda.
Click here to read USARK testimony in LA County: http://www.usark.org/uploads/LA%20Co...0Testimony.pdf

California Department of Fish & Game: Turtles, Frogs & Heloderma

There will be a hearing to discuss agenda items on April 7th & 8th in Monterey.
Item 21. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO
SECTIONS 671, 671.1, 671.7 AND 703, TITLE 14, CCR, RE: NEW RESTRICTED
SPECIES PERMITS AND REQUIREMENTS. (Helodermas)
Item 25. POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF COMMISSION POLICY, RE: NON-NATIVE FROGS AND
TURTLES (Will not effect Herpetoculture or pets)

USARK has continued to be engaged with the Commission and the Department on these issues. Our Senior California Adviser George Osborn has arranged two high level meetings with the DFG since the hearing last month. We have established USARK as a resource to the Department and have offered our expertise in addressing issues. USARK Director Doug Price will give testimony on both agenda items for the Reptile Nation.

There Is Strength in Numbers... Protect Your Rights! We can win this fight!!

[redstormlax12]

Who thinks of these bills? Comedians? Because keeping tabs on 50 fish and making the store be staffed 24/7 if that have 50+ fish is ridiculous. Thank you for keeping us updated, and for all the work you put in. You are truly saving our hobby.

[Auletto]

Every time you look a new law is proposed to destroy our hobby. It's getting to the point where it's only a matter of time a piece of legislation going to hit us where it hurts. I hope that day doesn't come, but it's getting to that point.

[The Plumber]

Wow.. Thats crazy..

[West Coast Jungle]

You guys rule. Thanks for all you do!

[Raptor]

2. 24/7 staffing if have more than 50 animals in the facility. See proposed Section 10.40.010(Z). If less than 50 animals, you must have adequate staffing for at least 8 hours a day. If you have more than 50 fish, reptiles, birds, etc., or any combination thereof, you must staff the facility 24/7.

So I need staff for my tank of guppies?

Now, I can say staff would be handy for the goats. However, the wording raises a question. If you're a private owner of say..animals of one species, i.e mice/rats. That falls under the rule of 50 animals. You still need staff?

[shootingstar26]

I apologize for my ignorance; I understand that this is proposed legislation to regulate the hobby of animal husbandry, but I admit that I don't fully understand what's going on.

Living in LA county, this would obviously affect me. Could someone please explain?
sorry for taking your time =\

[nixer]

wow i have more than 50 fish lol
and way more than 50 herps.
and i hold a full time job which at times can be 8hrs-24 hours i still find the time

[Moofins07]

So, in short, having a single tank of feeder goldfish would require 24/7 staff, including records? Wow. I had no idea goldfish were, let alone any common pet store fish species, were so "out of hand" and required such immediate attention.

This continually reminds me just how much I "love" people.

[MarkieJ]

Reminds me of this crazy story from England where they had a police sting operation over the sale of goldfish to children under 16 years of age. Wonder if it would ever get to this point around here...

http://video.ca.msn.com/watch/video/...fish/17yvf28pd