West Virginia trying to make animals like Guns...

[justcage]

Well they are at it again lthis year. Last year the bills for having to have a permit to have an exotic animal was thrown out. This year they are back in full force. They are asking for over 200k just for a for "animal identification program" There are many other problems in the state that could use that money, like the meth problem that is everywhere here.. So if you dont want to have to ask "big brother" if you can have a ball pythons or even a parakeet please wite a letter, email, fax or phone call to the senators.. You dont have to live in WV to write a letter either. Here is a l few links... I have emailed all of them and have had several email me back asking for more information about my thoughts as to what should be done, so they are listening.. Email or PM me if I can be of any help...

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WestVirginiaPetLaw/ This is a Yahoo group

WEST VIRGINIA SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
(AREA CODE: 304)

CHAIRMAN and SPONSOR of both WV:SB#137 & WV:SB3277:
Senator Larry Edgell
email: edgell@mail.wvnet.edu
phone: 304-357-7827

CO-SPONSOR of WV: SB#137:
Sen. John Unger II
email: unger@mail.wvnet.edu
ph: 304-357-7933

CO-SPONSOR SB#137:
Sen. Clark S. Barnes
email: cbarnes@mail.wvnet.edu
ph: 304-357-7973

Sen. Shirley Love: Co sponsor of WV:SB#277
email: shlove@mail.wvnet.edu
ph: 304-357-7849

Sen. Tracy Dempsey: Co sponsor of WV: SB#277
email: tracyd@mail.wvnet.edu
ph: 304-357-7939

Sen. Walt Helmick
email: whelmick@mail.wvnet.edu
ph: 304-357-7980

Sen. Jon Blair Hunter
email: senhunter@mountain.net
ph: 304- 357-7995

Sen.Wiiliam R. Sharpe, Jr.
email NA
ph: 304-357-7845

Sen. Karen L. Facemyer: Co sponsor: WV: SB#277
email: kfacemyr@mail.wvnet.edu
ph: 304-357-7855

Sen. Jesse O. Guillis: Co sponsor: WV:SB# 277
email: jguills@mail.wvnet.edu
ph: 304-357-7959

Sen. Russ Weeks
email: rweeks@mail.wvnet.edu
ph: 304-357-7831

Senate Finance Committee Members
(D) Helmick - Chair
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7980
email: whelmick@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) Sharpe - Vice Chair
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7845
Business Phone: 622-4681
Fax: 622-2752
(D) Bailey
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7807
Business Phone: 294-8800
email: bwbailey@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) Bowman
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7918
Fax: 723-1473
email: jwazell1@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) Chafin
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7808
Business Phone: 235-2221
Fax: 327-9178
email: htchafin@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) Edgell
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7827
Business: 455-2291
Fax: 455-9123
email: edgell@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) Love
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7849
Fax: 469-2888
email: shlove@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) McCabe
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7990
Business Phone: 347-7500
Fax: 342-2252
email: brmccabe@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) Plymale
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7937
Business Phone: 696-7098
Fax: 696-6099
email: grays@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) Prezioso
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7961
Business Phone: 366-2483
Fax: 366-2483
email: cglagola@mail.wvnet.edu
(D) Unger
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7961
Business Phone: 285-4477
Fax: 263-3545
email: unger@mail.wvnet.edu
(R) Boley
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7905
Fax: 684-3266
email: donnaboley@mail.wvnet.edu
(R) Facemyer
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7855
Business Phone: 372-7171
email: kfacemyr@mail.wvnet.edu
(R) Guills
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7959
Business Phone: 645-3313
Fax: 645-3314
email: jguills@mail.wvnet.edu
(R) Minear
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7914
email: gmminear@aol.com
(R) Sprouse
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7901
Business Phone: 552-1211
Fax: 925-8895
email: vice@vicsprouse.com
(R) Yoder
Capitol Phone: 304/357-7957
Fax: 535-2809
email: jyoder@mail.wvnet.edu

[Crow]

That's good information to have. It really bothers me to see the amount of time, energy, and money wasted on trying to pass bills like this one when there are soooo many other issues that really need to be addressed. When you think of how much these people could accomplish if they would focus on legitimate problems (like the meth labs for ex.) it just seems so senseless. I'll be happy to contact some folks and throw my in!

[lars5277]

Problem: Ever since I got Salina I felt Pet stores did a poor job of informing me. They told me there was virtually no difference between a RTB, a BP, and a Burm. I picked the BP because I remembered hearing they "ball" up when scared. I figured that would be a safe bet for my family.

Solution: Every pet store should be forced to offer a 30-60 minute training video on animals that they sell. The videos should be put together from leaders and experts in the industry. This will help consumers make better informed decisions. It will mean less animals going to unqualified keepers, and less animals in shelters. I think it would discourage a lot of sales and cut down on the capturing of wild animals for sales purposes (Iggys come to mind). Make people sign disclosure statements stating that they recieved the training and make them public record. If they fail to care for thier animals in a proper manner, they will have to face stiffer fines and penatlies.

This would also force the pet stores to offer items that really aid in the husbandry of animals. I think heat rocks would dissappear, and quality UTHs and Thermostats would line the shelves. I could be all wrong on this but, I don't think so.

Matt,
Don't call you're Congressman to complain, call to offer a feasible solution. I tell my troops often, don't come to me with a problem, come to me with a solution!

[justcage]

Problem: Ever since I got Salina I felt Pet stores did a poor job of informing me. They told me there was virtually no difference between a RTB, a BP, and a Burm. I picked the BP because I remembered hearing they "ball" up when scared. I figured that would be a safe bet for my family.

Solution: Every pet store should be forced to offer a 30-60 minute training video on animals that they sell. The videos should be put together from leaders and experts in the industry. This will help consumers make better informed decisions. It will mean less animals going to unqualified keepers, and less animals in shelters. I think it would discourage a lot of sales and cut down on the capturing of wild animals for sales purposes (Iggys come to mind). Make people sign disclosure statements stating that they recieved the training and make them public record. If they fail to care for thier animals in a proper manner, they will have to face stiffer fines and penatlies.

This would also force the pet stores to offer items that really aid in the husbandry of animals. I think heat rocks would dissappear, and quality UTHs and Thermostats would line the shelves. I could be all wrong on this but, I don't think so.

Matt,
Don't call you're Congressman to complain, call to offer a feasible solution. I tell my troops often, don't come to me with a problem, come to me with a solution!

I couldent agree more.. I have had some really off the wall dealings with pet shops and do think there should be some level of training before the "rep" is able to work the floor..

Thats exactly what I did.. I explained to them how my animals are maintained and that they are behind lock and key at all times. I tried to enstill in them that warden of some type that could be called like the ASPCA would have better results.. No complaining was spoken as I had to do this in person in front of the legislature last year(yes it sucked, and I hate wearing a tie).. I know PIJAC is also on the case as they were last year..

[mr~python]

i dont think certain reptiles should be allowed without some type of permit. i believe there is somewhere you have to draw the line. for instance; i have no problem with animals like ball pythons, cornsnakes, bearded dragons, etc. being sold or kept. i think the limit for a permit should be for animals like burmese pythons, african rock pythons, caiman, reticulated pythons, alligators, sulcattas tortoises, iguanas, etc. it's useless to outlaw reptiles that could not hurt anything like a ball python or a leopard gecko.

hey i just got a thought... should i copy and paste that for an email to those senators, or do you think they would just ignore a 13 year old kid?

[justcage]

I agree with you as well.. I think if you want to own a large constrictor then you should be allowed to do so but you must have the adult caging on hand and be able to show receipts for the purschase. Also I think you should be something in the likes of NERD or Bob Clark and have staff on hand to help handle large animals.. Importation of Ig's should be banned outright and only captive bred animals sold with the receipt(or some other form of proof) of the proper adult caging.. There are enough Ig's up for adoption to suit the needs of anyone wanting them country wide...I would send any thought that you ahve to them just make yourself professional.. Professionallism will go alot futher then "Hey buddy I pay your salary"..lol

[mr~python]

do you think i sound pro enough to send it to the senators?

im glad we dont have these kinda problems in CA... lol.

[justcage]

Sure, anyone can voice their opinion. Just tell them what your thought are and off a solution like Lars said.. Anything you ahve put real thought into is worth while... You dont have those problems YET!!

[recycling goddess]

marshall,

you are very articulate... i'm sure your letter will be great!

i sure do agree with pet store employees needing more information in their brains about care etc... but at the same time... how stupid is someone to purchase any pet and not learn about it's needs and care first??? so, responsibility is on both sides!

hence, the reason most stores have a section of books at the end of each isle!

just my 2 cents,
aleesha

[mr~python]

i completely know what your saying about responsibility on both sides.

one time i went into our local pet store to get rats for vanessa and zulu and this 25-27 year old guy walks in and says, "yeah, i came in yesterday. i dont know if you remember me but and you showed a 'land turtle' that gets a reasonable size and i want to buy it today."

i wanted to yell at him. i was SOOOOO mad!