SB 917 - California. Signed to law.

[wolfy-hound]

I sent in emails, and called in on the numbers provided by USARK about it. Even though I'm not in California, I pointed out that as a seller I would be bringing in money to the state by coming into California for a show to sell reptiles.

And by the wording of the law, I don't think the bird shows qualify. It states explicitly that the cat, dog or bird show must be a show that involves "competitive judging" the animals(i.e. a AKC dog show) in that one clause. Another spot mentions the animals must have paid a fee for entry in the show, more or less.

So us reptile people didn't "sit on our behinds" and do nothing. As usual, the powers that be ignored the protests from the lowly reptile groups and just supported the big cat and dog lobbies. I barely count the bird folk, because I honestly think by the wording, the typical "bird shows" I've seen would not qualify and thus they could have a big unexpected crack-down at a sales event.

You can't just sell animals from your home, because that could very well be considered "conducting business from a home" which is ALSO prohibited in most areas. Getting a license means you're a business and prohibited from selling animals.

Once again, they put up a nice big picture of poor puppies in a box in the sun on the side of the road... and got people to pass a law that prohibits the sale of any animal across the board.

With SF having banned the sales in stores, NOW people will have to invite strangers(and possible Animal Rights Extremists with an agenda) into their very homes to sell a pet, possibly breaking laws prohibiting running a business in their home, mind you... or simply don't buy any pets at all, ever. Where exactly will you get a pet now?

[anatess]

I sent in emails, and called in on the numbers provided by USARK about it. Even though I'm not in California, I pointed out that as a seller I would be bringing in money to the state by coming into California for a show to sell reptiles.

And by the wording of the law, I don't think the bird shows qualify. It states explicitly that the cat, dog or bird show must be a show that involves "competitive judging" the animals(i.e. a AKC dog show) in that one clause. Another spot mentions the animals must have paid a fee for entry in the show, more or less.

So us reptile people didn't "sit on our behinds" and do nothing. As usual, the powers that be ignored the protests from the lowly reptile groups and just supported the big cat and dog lobbies. I barely count the bird folk, because I honestly think by the wording, the typical "bird shows" I've seen would not qualify and thus they could have a big unexpected crack-down at a sales event.

You can't just sell animals from your home, because that could very well be considered "conducting business from a home" which is ALSO prohibited in most areas. Getting a license means you're a business and prohibited from selling animals.

Once again, they put up a nice big picture of poor puppies in a box in the sun on the side of the road... and got people to pass a law that prohibits the sale of any animal across the board.

With SF having banned the sales in stores, NOW people will have to invite strangers(and possible Animal Rights Extremists with an agenda) into their very homes to sell a pet, possibly breaking laws prohibiting running a business in their home, mind you... or simply don't buy any pets at all, ever. Where exactly will you get a pet now?

This might not be true for all AKC Dog Competition Shows but the one I attended did not allow dog sales on the premises...

[Skiploder]

I sent in emails, and called in on the numbers provided by USARK about it. Even though I'm not in California, I pointed out that as a seller I would be bringing in money to the state by coming into California for a show to sell reptiles.

And by the wording of the law, I don't think the bird shows qualify. It states explicitly that the cat, dog or bird show must be a show that involves "competitive judging" the animals(i.e. a AKC dog show) in that one clause. Another spot mentions the animals must have paid a fee for entry in the show, more or less.

So us reptile people didn't "sit on our behinds" and do nothing. As usual, the powers that be ignored the protests from the lowly reptile groups and just supported the big cat and dog lobbies. I barely count the bird folk, because I honestly think by the wording, the typical "bird shows" I've seen would not qualify and thus they could have a big unexpected crack-down at a sales event.

You can't just sell animals from your home, because that could very well be considered "conducting business from a home" which is ALSO prohibited in most areas. Getting a license means you're a business and prohibited from selling animals.

Once again, they put up a nice big picture of poor puppies in a box in the sun on the side of the road... and got people to pass a law that prohibits the sale of any animal across the board.

With SF having banned the sales in stores, NOW people will have to invite strangers(and possible Animal Rights Extremists with an agenda) into their very homes to sell a pet, possibly breaking laws prohibiting running a business in their home, mind you... or simply don't buy any pets at all, ever. Where exactly will you get a pet now?

Theresa:

I know from our previous discussions on this topic that you called - and I appreciate that - especially since you don't live in California.

But the ugly truth is that USARK and PIJAC were MIA on this one. Yeah, USARK tepidly made some sleep walking motions when it first came out in the assembly a while ago, but they completely flatlined this one. Our local herp societies ignored it and when I spoke to Lieu's office they were very up front with whom they had heard from. Lieu was a useful tool of the animal right's group - a dumb slacked faced tool who was convinced he was going to save fluffy kittens and rolly polly puppies.

They were amazed that the association of swap meets and the bird groups were so vocal. The aide even remembered talking to coral frag swap groups. The reptile folk just did not come out and fight this.

Like I said. I don't go to the shows and I don't sell at the shows. When some clown who proudly flies the USARK banner in his sig gets busted at the next reptile show he can look in the mirror to see who's to blame. Our rights here in this state just got eroded and I see no mention of it anywhere but here.

The lesson here is two fold - (1) don't expect other people to get off their asses and do much. (2) The loudest drums are usually the hollowest.

Next time someone from PIJAC of USARK posts here or on another forum, ask them where the heck they were when SB 917 passed.

[MikeV]

People just LOVE their rights being taken away.

Sadly I realized that long ago thanks to the reptile hobby, and the "fight" to keep it going. People screech and cry that their rights are being taken away. Meanwhile the hobby you love is getting murdered with each passing bill

yet not many people care to stop it. That's a shame.



Sorry im ranting, but this is ridiculous

[Aztec4mia]

I wonder if you can say "I'm not selling the snake, I'm rehoming the snake" and get away with it like that.

They were kind enough to include the "giving away" of animals as well as sales, so I would imagine that would include re-homing an animal, yea this bill is a killer and more then likely is going to do more bad then good.