My Vivariums

Kill Rule Change Campaign

Saffleur — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:03:50 +0000

The Deadline for Public Comment on the US Fish & Wildlife Service proposed Rule Change is midnight on May, 11 2010. If enacted this rule could have devastating impact on the Reptile Nation. Damage will not be limited to breeders of the 4 pythons, 4 anacondas and Boa Constrictor. It would have far reaching effect. Most of the Reptile Trade Shows would not be able to continue. Rodent producers, caging manufacturers and shippers would suffer devastating impact. Many would go out of business. Please help USARK challenge the Rule Change! Go to www.Kill-RuleChange.com and follow the instructions!! It is extremely important that everyone pull together and make Public Comment before the deadline!!!

www.Kill-RuleChange.com

***Place this link on every social networking site, every forum and email list. Put it on Twitter. Put it everywhere. Encourage everyone to participate. Call friends, family and coworkers.

Kill Rule Change! Do it Today!

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WAKE UP! Kill S373- DEADLINE 1/12/10

Saffleur — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:27:30 +0000

The DEADLINE for getting your letters opposing S373 to Tom Wolfe is fast approaching. Last day to overnight will be Monday the 11th so Tom Wolfe will have them for hand delivery to the Senate on Tuesday the 12th. This is extremely serious. If we do not succeed 1/3 of the Reptile Nation could be destroyed! Thousands will lose jobs. Many businesses will be bankrupted. Individuals could lose their homes. The time to ACT is NOW!!!!

We need an ALL OUT effort right now. It is very simple. Writing your letters like we did when we killed HR669 is the MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do right now. Follow the instructions below:

1. Letters to your Senators- Go to www.Kill-S373.com and follow the instructions. Use the ‘Sample Letter’. Watch the instructional video. There is no substitute for REAL letters. Do it NOW!!!

2. Email your Senators- This is NOT a substitute for REAL letters. Click here we have made it easy for you. http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/2705/tell-us-senate-to-stop-python-ban/

3. Contact the Media- ‘Pythons, Politics & Death of the American Dream’ campaign. Click on the links below:
• MSNBC- http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/2766/msnbc-pythons-politics-death-american-dream/
• CNN- http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/2765/cnn-pythons-politics-death-american-dream/
• FOX News- http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/2726/pythons-politics-death-american-dream/

The future of the Reptile Nation could be decided by what you as an individual are prepared to do over the next few days. Do not miss this opportunity to make a difference! Our community needs to pull together as never before. Do NOT let this be the final days of the Reptile Industry and Hobby!

Special Message to Industry Leaders: If you make your living in the reptile trade you need to do all of the things listed above that the rest of the Reptile Nation is doing... and more! It is your responsibility to get a meeting with your Senator and make your case. You represent the industry in your state. By making direct contact with your Senators you give them a reason to oppose S373. Jobs and the Economy are important. Make your case. The time is NOW!!!

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Snakes And Winter Feeding

Saffleur — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:32:23 +0000

Its that time a year again with the cold weather setting in and the dark nights. Most people with sub adult & adult snakes will be experiencing there snake knocking off feeding and turning there nose up at it. Also there feeding patterns becoming irregular, I have a snake that does this every winter. She's finicky and it happens. I can remember when it first happened and it freaked me out so much.

Snakes normally go off feed in the wild around this time of year. So relax, don't fret. As long as they are not losing body weight then it's fine. Just don't offer food for a month but keep plenty of water available. They will eventually eat.

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S373 Call In Tomorrow

Saffleur — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:45:05 +0000

S373 aka ‘The Python Ban’ will receive a Hearing before the Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee Chaired by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on December 3, 2009. The bill sponsor is Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). If passed as written it would Ban all snakes in the family Pythonidae, placing them on the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. That is ALL 40 species of pythons! This action would stop all import, export and interstate transport. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has taken steps to lobby Senator Nelson to add Boa Constrictor to the bill as well. HSUS has publicly called for an end of reptile ownership nationwide for years.

This will NOT be a full and fair hearing on this issue. As we understand it right now there will be eight bills heard by the committee with only one witness to testify on all eight. USARK does not anticipate that there will be additional witnesses called. This seems to be an effort to ram through as many bills as possible in as short a time as possible.

USARK is opposed to legislating any animals on to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This should be a science and policy driven debate. As it stands now the science is being “cherry picked” to support political expediency. An independent group of scientists called the USGS study being used by HSUS and others to justify a ban, “unscientific”.

USARK is providing the best information available on this issue. We realize that these are scary times and we ask that everyone in the community come together to fight this battle. There is Strength in Numbers... Protect Your Rights. Join the Reptile Nation!

CALL IN DAY: 11/30, 12/1 & 12/2

Sample:
My name is _____. I oppose S373. Although I support and appreciate efforts to preserve the Everglades, This bill will hurt American families while doing little to benefit conservation. This bill would Ban the captive bred trade in 40 species of pythons. It would destroy thousands of jobs in our state and across the country. Scientists have questioned the USGS report being used to justify this extreme proposal. Science should trump political expediency. Please oppose S373.

Call List: (this is not a full list of the EPW just the key members likely to be at hearing)
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), (Sponsor S373)
Phone: 202-224-5274
Fax: 202-228-2183

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), (Chair EPW)
Phone: (202) 224-3553
Fax: (202) 224-0454

Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), (Ranking Member EPW)
Phone: (202) 224-4721
Fax: (202) 228-0380

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), (Chair Water & Wildlife)
Phone: 202-224-4524
Fax: 202-224-1651

Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), (Ranking Member Water & Wildlife)
Phone: (202) 224-6142
Fax: (202) 228-1375

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Phone: (202) 224-4944
Fax: (202) 228-3398

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S373 Python Ban Goes to Hearing

Saffleur — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:59:53 +0000

S373 aka ‘The Python Ban’ will receive a Hearing before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Chaired by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on December 3, 2009. The bill sponsor is Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL). If passed as written it would Ban all snakes in the family Pythonidae, placing them on the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. That is ALL 40 species of pythons! This action would stop all import, export and interstate transport. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) took definitive steps yesterday toward lobbying Senator Nelson to add Boa Constrictor to the bill as well. HSUS has publicly called for an end of reptile ownership nationwide for years.

As we understand it right now there will be eight bills heard by the committee with only one witness to testify on all eight. USARK does not anticipate that there will be additional witnesses called. This seems to be an effort to move through as many bills as possible in as short a time as possible. We will know more soon.

USARK is opposed to legislating any animals on to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This should be a science and policy driven debate. As it stands now the science is being “cherry picked” to support political expediency. Just yesterday an independent group of scientists called the USGS study being used by HSUS and others to justify a ban, “unscientific”.

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ALERT: Congressional Call In- Stop HR2811 Python Ban!

Saffleur — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:13:42 +0000

Please join the Reptile Nation in a Congressional Call In Opposing HR2811 aka The Python Ban November 2, 3 & 4. If you value your Boas & Pythons you will participate and encourage your entire sphere of influence to do the same. There is a Hearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism & Homeland Security scheduled for November 5th. Please call in and OPPOSE HR2811.

As originally written HR2811 would add the entire genus python to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act. This would effectively end the Import, Export and Interstate Transport of any animals listed. In July USARK was successful in narrowing the scope of the bill by removing most pythons with an amendment offered by Congressman Tom Rooney. The amendment would limit the bill to the Burmese Python and the African Python. In addition committee staff agreed in principle to further amend the bill to allow the captive bred trade in these two snakes to continue. To date this promise has not been kept and the HR2811 has not been amended to allow for captive bred trade.

Meanwhile the USGS Risk Assessment of 9 Large Constricting Snakes has been released. The Humane Society of the United States is lobbying hard to have HR2811 amended to include the entire genus python, as well as the four species of anaconda, and Boa Constrictor referred to in the USGS report. Do not assume that HSUS will not be successful in getting HR2811 amended to reflect these changes. Only USARK and the Reptile Nation stand between HSUS and the destruction of our community.

Our science experts have done a cursory analysis of the USGS report and characterize it as “…loose with numerous mistakes and inaccuracies. It is an oversimplification of a very complicated topic.” The bottom line is it is not the solid piece of science HSUS wanted to use as a tool to break the back of our community. However that has not stopped them from mischaracterizing it as just that.

What can I do?

***November 2,3 & 4 Call In and Fax the Subcommittee and voice your opposition to HR2811. Be polite & professional!

Script:
My name is____. I oppose HR2811. It is overly simplistic and politically driven. It is poorly thought out and sacrifices good science for political expediency. The negative economic impact for my family and business would be significant. Please oppose HR2811. Thank you for your consideration.

Call List:
Sponsor:

Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Sponsor
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4506; fax 202-226-0777
Miami: phone 305-690-5905; fax 305-690-5951

Cosponsors:

Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-1313; fax 202-225-8398
Ft. Lauderdale: phone 954-733-2800

Congressman John Lewis (D-GA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3801; fax 202-225-0351
Atlanta: phone 404-659-0116

Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3001; fax 202-225-5974
Boca Raton: phone 561-988-6302; fax 561-988-6423

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (HI-2)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4906; fax 202-225-4987
Honolulu: phone 808-541-1986

Congressman Tom Rooney (R-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5792; fax 202-225-3132
Punta Gorda: phone 941-575-9101; fax 941-575-9103

Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism & Homeland Security:

Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-8351; fax 202-225-8354
Richmond: phone 804-644-4845

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3072; fax 202-225-3336
San Jose: phone 408-271-8700

Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3816; fax 202-225-3317
Houston: phone 713-691-4882

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-2201; fax 202-225-7854
Los Angeles: phone 323-757-8900

Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3265; fax 202-225-5663
Memphis: phone 901-544-4131

Congressman Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-2615; fax 202-225-2154
San Juan: phone 787-723-6333

Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5431; fax 202-225-9681
Roanoke: phone 540-857-2672

Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5716; fax 202-226-1298
Gold River: phone 916-859-9906

Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-3035; fax 202-226-1230
Tyler: phone 903-561-6349

Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-6565; fax 202-225-5547
Beaumont: phone 409-212-1997

Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-6365; fax 202-226-1170
Chesapeake: 757-382-0080; fax 757-382-0780

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-5635
New York: phone 212-367-7350

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-7931; fax 202-226-2052
Pembroke Pines: phone 954-437-3936; fax 954-437-4776

Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-6616
Brooklyn: phone 718-743-0441

Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL)
Washington DC: phone 202-225-4061; fax 202-225-5603
Chicago: phone 773-267-5926; fax 773-267-6583

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Python Ban Hearing for November 5th

Saffleur — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:22:06 +0000

H.R. 2811 aka ‘The Python Ban’ is a Bill sponsored into the US House of Representatives by Florida Congressman Kendrick Meek. As originally written it would have placed the entire genus python on the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacy Act. That would make the import, export and interstate transport of these animals a felony.

Fortunately USARK was able to convince Congressman Tom Rooney of Florida, who is championing this Bill in the House Judiciary Committee, to offer an amendment to H.R. 2811 limiting the scope of the Bill. H.R. 2811 was subsequently amended striking the genus python and inserting ONLY the Burmese Python and African Python. Committee staff also agreed in principle to further amend the Bill to allow for the captive bred trade and export of these animals to continue. USARK has provided language to Committee staff to further amend H.R. 2811 to reflect this agreement. As of today no additional amendments have been offered.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has just submitted a report to Congress regarding H.R. 2811. USARK was contacted to represent the industry, and some individuals were contacted as well. USARK was given only two business days to compile economic estimates. The CBO report was anecdotal and brief. The CBO concluded that H.R.2811, as written, would have no significant economic effect on the federal government. They also concluded that because the annual economic impact to the private sector fell below $139 million, that there was no significant impact to the economy. Apparently the Reptile Nation does not fall into the ‘Too Big to Fail' category. Click here to read the CBO Report on H.R.2811: http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/106xx/doc10654/hr2811.pdf

The political pressure that USARK and the Reptile Nation have been able to apply in regards to H.R.2811 has yielded tangible results. On November 5, 2009 there will be a Hearing on H.R.2811 in front of the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism & Homeland Security. Committee staffers have approached USARK and indicated a willingness to reexamine proposals to further amend H.R.2811. In addition staffers have indicated that USARK will be invited to present testimony before the Committee as an expert witness.

Stay tuned… USARK will be spearheading a Call-In, Fax and Email Campaign on H.R.2811 for November 2, 3 & 4 leading up to the Subcommittee Hearing on the 5th. USARK is committed to protecting the rights of responsible Burm and Afrock owners.

****For up to the moment fast breaking updates follow USARK on Twitter. Follow us on MySpace & Facebook too. Invite your friends to follow as well. This is the best way to disseminate information as it happens.****

These campaigns to fight for the rights of the Reptile Nation are expensive. Please donate to or join USARK and help us pay the bills. We are working hard for you!

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Stop Florida Reptile Ban Now!

Saffleur — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:30:06 +0000

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet September 9th, 10th and 11th. On the agenda will be Reptiles of Concern and whether to ban them administratively this year. Please don't let this happen! What happens in Florida will have repercussions across the country. We need everyone to weigh in on this and send an email to the FWC Commissioners. Even if you are not a Florida resident you can sign the letter as a potential stakeholder. The Humane Society of the United States has been mischaracterizing the issue and spreading inaccurate statistics. The Reptile Nation needs to be heard from coast to coast on this important debate.

USARK President, Andrew Wyatt will be traveling to Florida to attend the meeting. Let the FWC hear the voice of the Reptile Nation prior to his arrival. We have a very good argument to make, but it will be much more convincing if we get a big email push from the Nation. Just follow the link below to our instant email tool. It is as easy as filling in your info and pushing the submit button. Do it now!

Click here to email FWC and Gov Crist

http://usark.org/campaign.php?id=8

This is a public meeting. We urge all Florida residents and stakeholders to come to the meeting and express your concerns. Our issues are on the agenda for the afternoon of the 9th.

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Date: September 9-11, 2009

Place: Mission Inn
10400 County Road 48
Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737
Phone: (352) 324-3101
Fax: (352) 324-2636
Website: http://www.missioninnresort.com/

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Senator Nelson S373 Update

Saffleur — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:24:14 +0000

USARK has secured a meeting with Senator Bill Nelson's office for Friday August 7, 2009 in West Palm Beach. We will be asking Senator Nelson to understand that S373, the Python Ban, will hurt thousands of his constituents and create significant problems for the entire United States if passed as written.

If passed as written S373 will BAN the IMPORT, EXPORT and INTERSTATE COMMERCE of ALL Pythons. This is not a Florida issue. It is a federal bill in the US Senate. This is about the BAN of ALL pythons nationwide... from ball pythons on up. We believe that this bill will move in September following the August recess. The only question is what Senator Nelson might do to amend the bill prior to that time. We are optimistic that he will listen to our well thought out position. You can be sure that USARK will fight tooth and nail to defend the ENTIRE python community.

Update HR2811 (House companion to S373):

USARK continues to work with the Judiciary Committee and the bill's sponsors to further amend the bill to allow the captive bred trade in Burms and Afrocks to continue. Our policy staff has crafted language that, if accepted, would protect trade and investment in these animals. PIJAC contacted USARK yesterday with suggestions for amendment of the bill. We welcome the pet industry's desire to become engaged on this issue. We will review this proposal to ensure that it is consistent with our position. We are open to creating a second option. Whatever the final decision is, the solution must be simple, effective and protect the interests of the captive bred trade in Burms and Afrocks. We thank PIJAC for their interest and hope their proposal may prove helpful.

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Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue Needs Your Help

Saffleur — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:15:51 +0000

Charles Seifert of Miami-Dade Fire & Rescue Venom Response Team has asked for our help and this is something we need to do. They provide a very important service nationwide. Read below and you'll understand. For those of you who live in Florida a link to find your Commissioner exists. For those of you like me outside the state. I am contacting the Mayor.

Dear Concerned Citizens, 14 July, 2009

This letter is being sent to you to enlist your help and support in keeping the Venom Response Team from Miami Dade Fire Rescue alive, and able to provide community services and assist you in the event of an emergency.

As you are probably aware, MDFR’s Venom Response Team maintains the largest, most comprehensive, anti-venom bank in the United States. We are currently available for emergency responses on a 24/7 basis and can deploy and deliver 50 different anti-venom quickly throughout the State of Florida and beyond. Additionally, we respond to over 400 Africanized Bee calls a year (mitigating the situation if possible), as well as animal rescue calls in our county. We also provide community outreach, Envenomation Management and Africanized Bee Response Training for other agencies and “Dangerous Critters” education for many schools, public gatherings and private groups.

Budget cuts in our department are threatening our unit and our response capabilities. We could easily be cut back to skeleton staffing, which will eliminate many services and significantly slow our response times. We are doing everything we can to prevent these cuts but we need YOUR help!

Please take a moment to e-mail or call the Mayor’s Office and Miami Dade County Commissioners listed below and let them know how our program is important to you, your company, clients, or group. Our response and education area is not limited to Dade County so your voices need to be heard to let the Commissioners know that you do care and don’t want Venom Response to be dismantled. Their meeting to decide on cuts is upcoming July 21, 2009, please make your voices heard before that date.

Our services are important to many, in and out of the Dade County area, and we want to continue to be here for you. Today our unit’s life is in your hands. Please feel free to forward this to any of your contacts. The more voices they hear the better! Thank you in advance for your support and assistance.

Best Regards,

Charles

MDFR Venom Response Team – 786-331-4444 mdfrantivenom@miamidade.gov

Mayor Carlos Alvarez - (305) 375-5071 mayor@miamidade.gov

To find out who your Comissioner is please visit the Miami-Dade website

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Komodo Dragons Found Venemous