Quote Originally Posted by twistedtails View Post
Bills get proposed and amended...Right? If the bills that are being listed right now don't include interstate, is it a possibility that they were amended? For the record, I don't feel that any of these bills need to be taken lightly. If others are taking it lightly that is thier opinion, but, not mine. What I get personally from the "update" section of USARK on this matter is that there is nothing in the bill that says what happens to animals that are already in captivity. Therefor, before passing legislation on the IMPORT of animals, there needs to be a plan on what happens to animals that are already here. I think what he is pushing for is some kind of amendment that clearly states this bill will not affect the captive breeding programs and companies in business right now.
But see, I dont think anyone has even thought about that. Really no one except those of us who own these animals, knows just how many there are in captivity in the US.

That is part of what USARK is trying to prove. The sheer numbers and the huge impact it will have on the economy. If you never take your kid to the pet store, or reptile shows, if you never look at these forums and classified sites, you would never have any idea that it is as popular as it is.

Most people not involved with the sale or breeding of reptiles have absolutely no idea that reptiles are shipped through UPS and FedEx.

Even people involved in them or those working at petstores still have no idea just how big it is.

They dont think its a big deal at all. WE understand that these things should all be considered and talked about but they do not. They still think reptiles only belong to a very few people. The extreme minority. Becaue reptile owners do not fight like dog owners when it comes to laws. Thats why we need to keep telling people. Getting people involved. They need to see all of us coming out of the woodwork. If all reptile owners actually stood up and let theirselves be known it would be HUGE.