Kiss your hobby goodbye!!!! USFW Proposed ban!!!!

[nixer]

you can go on the site and send them comments on this

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspubli...000064803a565f

click the button next to add comments!

[Chuck]

We as a community should NOT make any concessions to ban large constrictors to save the rest. I think if they get this passed they are fine with that but I think what they want is for us to offer up the ban on the big ones as a compromise to keep a larger ban from going through. It is very important for us to not give into giving up anything. They sure will not stop after they get even a small piece of this passed so we should not feel obliged to make it any easier for them for any of it. We should keep it nice and professional but totally blanket them with negative response to this idea.


Chuck

[Ben_Renick]

We as a community should NOT make any concessions to ban large constrictors to save the rest. I think if they get this passed they are fine with that but I think what they want is for us to offer up the ban on the big ones as a compromise to keep a larger ban from going through. It is very important for us to not give into giving up anything. They sure will not stop after they get even a small piece of this passed so we should not feel obliged to make it any easier for them for any of it. We should keep it nice and professional but totally blanket them with negative response to this idea.


Chuck

100% agree with that... We need to fight for everything. I love my big snakes to death... If we give them an inch, they'll take a mile. This bill would effect everything from pet stores, rodent suppliers, reptile supply companies, feed companies that supply the rodent suppliers, etc. People will lose their jobs!

Big snakes cannot and will not be a problem other than FL, along with every other boa, python, and eunectus, they cannot thrive in these different enviorments, it's either going to be too dry, too cold, etc. There is absolutly no reason to fight for just the smaller snakes... Also take into account, certain snakes will slowly fade away in captivity over the years. Without interstate trade, lets take Green Anacondas for instance, there aren't enough breeders out there to keep these snakes going in captivity. No one is going to try and breed Greens and move 30+ offspring locally... Just wont happen... Not even to mention things like the Boelens Python which will sooner or later be non-existent in captivity aside from zoos.

Please, lets fight for everything!!

[Dracosdad]

The USF&W Service's Notice of Inquiry says "we are looking at obtaining information on constrictor species in the Python, Boa and Eunectes genera for possible addition to the injurious wildlife list under the Lacey Act." (my emphasis)

So this wouldn't include, among others, carpets or GTP's? They're in family pythonidae but in genus morelia, at least for now. And how could the introduction of the rubber boa be harmful when it's already native to the northwestern U.S.?

Doesn't sound like much thought has been devoted to the proposed new regulation (right, nothing new) and I seriously doubt that the drafters had a clue about the larger domestic, captive bred ball python scene.

Obviously everyone must take this seriously and respond with vigor and alarm, I'd be stunned if any regulation went further than Burmese Pythons -- due to the Everglades problem -- and maybe other of the largest snakes.

Something else that might be going on here is a sort of stealthy response to complaints about the whole pet reptile pet scene, fueled to a a degree by the usual irresponsible sellers and buyers.

[Westcoast]

I will post a more thought out response later but , One point that needs to be outlined to the feds is the following. How many species would be exstinct today if it wernt for the importing and captive breeding by breeders in this hobby. Hogg Island Boas GONE! Cay Caulker Boas GONE!! Pearl Island ? Private breeders have picked up the slack where many countries have failed!

[aeio540]

I am typing up a letter today. . .

[Sasquatch Art]

I am sure that there have been irresponsible keepers that have released some type of snake in the wild.
BUT…
A lot of people are not thinking about the environmental disasters that can occur in Florida. In 1992 Hurricane Andrew hit, that storm destroyed so many buildings, including zoos. The zoos even reported that they lost some reptile species.

Theoretically if the zoo lost large constrictors and maybe some of the houses that were damaged lost their pets which can cause a small population of boids in Florida. Burmese pythons for instance can have 20-80+ eggs. I am pretty sure you can see the chain.

Then when hurricane Charley and other hurricanes that year hit...those again ruined many homes.
I think these government officials need to think about these events and not just jumps to the conclusion that anyone with any type of snake is going to release it.

(Sorry if I repeated what another member has wrote, I have not read through everyone's comments yet)

[Sputnik]

This is the scary part (As if it wasn't bad enough). If Boas and Pythons are added to the "injurious wildlife" list, it carries a lot of extra baggage. Not just a ban on import and interstate transport, but a ban on ownership....

So if your thinking, oh well, I'll still have my pets even if this ban goes through, then think again!

This proposed ban is something even PETA and Co couldn't of dreamed of having put forward!

So I urge everyone to contact your state reps, not just the USF&W, push the economical damage this ban would bring to your state.... get the state reps on your side if possible.

Push the facts, the impact on pet stores that sell heating, feeders, bedding supplies etc for us keepers is a fact. Not to mention the cash flow the states and federal government get from sales from private breeders/businesses that sell the same and more.... get it in their minds the impact it will have. And the impact it will have on those families for which it is their sole lively hood.

Get signatures on petitions (Smaller family owned pet stores may allow it, inform them! and see if they will allow a petition be in their store to sign) and send a copy to your state reps. Research the facts, get a number on the amount of reptiles keepers for them to see just how big this hobby/industry is in your state, nation wide.

If you can get your state reps to write and oppose this, then do so, it carries some added weight.

USF&W need to be burried in the form of opposition to this proposed ban.

[cassandra]

Just finished my letter and printed it...gonna let it sit on my desk for a while and then read it again, make sure it's okay...

Happy Monday!

[Chuck]

Here is a post by a senior member of another forum
I frequent I want to share it as I think he has good things to say.

I was asked by another member for some talking points when writing a letter it USFW about the proposed ban that will destroy our hobby.

Keep in mind that Govt will not be moved by our collective passion for reptiles. Our only hope is a more reasoned approach that appeals to the issues with wich Govt is typically concerned. Thjat said here are some ideas:
I think one problem people have is that they think that the Govt, actually cares about their rights, wich it clearly does not. Too many people write letters that emphasise how much they "love their burms" , these comments will fall on deaf ears.

I would suggest stressing the economic impact and total lack of ecological impact.

Point out that to impliment any new regulations would cost money, how do they plan to pay for the enforcement? This arguement has sunk several proposed bans around the country, including im my state of Washington. In the end this single issue, and not the pleadings of snake owners saved us at the state and local level.

I would point out that if they are really concerned about feral boids that this legislation could have the exact opposite effect they are looking for. If you have tens of thousands of breeders around the country who can no longer sell their animals , it seems likley that some may release them into the wild, what is someone supposed to do with 500 ball pythons that they can no longer sell. Some may release them out of spite , in retaliation for the ban.

I would also frame the issue as a "states rights" issue. The problem with feral boids only effects the extreme southern portion of a single state, so why is this a federal issue, it seems to me that this is something that the state of Florida should resolve fore iteself.

The fact is that this is the only place in the US where this is even possible. This combined witht he fact that every state in the country already has laws on the books that make it illeagal to release any animal into the wild, make this new law unesessary. Simple enforcement of existing laws is whats needed

I would implore everyone to actually send in a letter, and do it now.

Nick