Here's the letter I'm sending to my Assemblyman:

Assembyman Bill Emmerson
10681 Foothill Blvd
Suite 325
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

State Capitol
Room 3149
Sacramento, CA
94249-0063


1 April 2006


Dear Assemblyman Emmerson,

My name is Cassandra G--- and I am a constituent of yours in the city of Redlands. I am writing in regards to Assembly Bill number AB 2862, which relates to retail animal sales.

I am very concerned about the following points in the proposed bill:

- The age requirement for the sale of animals; Section 122340 Letter q states that the animal be weaned for at least two weeks prior to sale and Section 122347 Letter d states “A retail animal outlet shall not sell, offer for sale, trade, or barter an animal that is under the age of eight weeks.”

- The increased size rodent enclosure requirements; Section 122345 Letter d Point 4 requires a huge increase in the floor space and available exercise equipment required for all rodents.

I am concerned because I am a reptile pet owner. I own two harmless and non-venomous snakes, a ball python (python regius) and a boa constrictor (boa constrictor). Snakes are carnivores and feed on small rodents, preferably clean, healthy live or pre-euthanized mice and rats. My snakes are young animals and currently eat very young mice, from just a few days old to 24-30 days. I currently purchase live rodents from one of two local reptile/pet stores in Redlands, Daryl’s Pet Shop, 860 W. Redlands Blvd. Redlands, 92374, and Tribal Reptile Co, 110 Orange St, Redlands, 92373. Both stores breed rodents in house for sale as “feeders” for pet owners.

As my snakes get older, they will eat larger and older rodents, but with the above language in AB 2862, I will not be able to feed my snakes because it will be illegal to obtain the proper aged rodents.

I am also concerned about the proposed increased space requirements for rodents in animal retail. While I can not provide specific measurements for the current environment for rodents at the two shops listed above, I know that they are the rodent breeding industry standard size for the breeding and keeping of mice and rats for sale into the rodent feeder market. If these proposed size increases are made law, local shops will not able to accommodate the increased space requirements and will most likely discontinue selling the food I need to keep my pets healthy and fed.

I appreciate and thank you for taking the time to read this. Please do not allow these points to be become law in California. Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information.

My sincere thanks,

Cassandra G---