2/13/20 alerts NARBC TX

Feb 13, 2020 | USARK Newsletter

NARBC Arlington

The biggest show in Texas is back and it just keeps growing! You’ll see more animals, more products, more vendors, and more of everything reptile and amphibian. You definitely want to be there. This is your chance to meet some of the herp world’s most recognized and knowledgeable professionals. 

DO NOT MISS the USARK benefit auction Saturday night following the show. There will be well over $15,000 in donations, all just waiting for you to bid. What will be there? Well, you’ll have to attend to see. All show attendees are welcome!

The auctions always have both live and silent portions so there are opportunities for everyone. Show attendees can come and hang out with the vendors while enjoying the always amusing antics by Brian Potter.

USARK appreciates the continued support from Bob, Brian, and the NARBC crew.

Show Schedule:

Saturday, Feb. 15: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Benefit Auction: Saturday night in the convention center with a preview beginning shortly after the show ends. FREE and open to everyone.
Sunday, Feb. 16: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm 

Where:
Arlington Convention Center
1200 Ballpark Way
Arlington, TX 76011

More information at www.narbc.com/Arlington/arlington.html.

AUCTION NOTE: There will be adult-oriented language and shenanigans at the auction. While everyone is welcome, parents should be advised if bringing children. There will be free appetizers and a cash bar.

Florida ALERT
Tegu, Iguana, and Conditional Species ban

UPDATE: Please read the USARK FL release linked below for full updates:

LINK with update: www.facebook.com/usarkfl/photos/a.166328888040966/179107863429735/

If you think bans makes sense, please be sure to read our full alert.

It takes less than 10 minutes to learn what is happening and take action. Just click the links below!

ACTION ALERT direct link: www.usarkfl.org/post/2020ban

Facebook ALERT link: www.facebook.com/usarkfl/photos/a.166328888040966/166326754707846

West Virginia Alert
Bills to support!

Two House Bills (HB4678 and HB4756) have been introduced which would prevent herps from being listed as “Dangerous Wild Animals” in West Virginia. HB4756 would also block exotic birds from being listed.

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/2713865895362013/.

Georgia Alert

Senate Bill 338 amends Georgia’s current “pet dealer” law found at Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia. The current law covers “dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, or other animals customarily obtained as pets.” Fish would be excluded but the number of animals sold requiring someone to have a pet dealer license is decreased drastically (by 33%). Essentially, hobbyists having just one clutch or litter of some herps would be treated like pet shops and major businesses.

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2704162519665684.

Illinois Alert

This is another “traveling animal act” ban. Illinois Senate Bill 2546 (SB2546) amends a current law and it is important to realize what is happening.

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2701060699975866.

Colorado ALERT

BAN on educational outreach programs and more with any animal non-native to Colorado! A hearing has been scheduled for February 13 at 1:30 PM. The language of this bill is confusing for many people, so it is important to read our full alert. Additionally, we have been made aware that, as usual, the animal rights group(s) who wrote and are pushing this bill are intentionally misleading legislators regarding the consequences and impacts.

Full details and alert at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/2696747393740530.

Washington State ALERT

A traveling animal act bill has been introduced. House bill 2824 (HB2824) will ban certain animals at “any exhibition, public showing, presentation, display, exposition, fair, animal act, circus, ride, trade show, petting zoo, carnival, parade, race, or similar undertaking…”

UPDATE: February 7 was the last day to pass bills out of committee and read them into the record on the floor in house of origin. This bill failed to meet the session cutoff calendar deadline! Thank you to everyone who educated legislators and opposed this bill.

Full details and alert at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2689083401173596/?type=1&theater.

South Carolina ALERT

Two bills have been introduced (and have passed committees) with the stated purpose of protecting South Carolina’s native herp species. The bills also affect activities by responsible keepers and breeders so stakeholders should be fully informed on what is happening and learn what they can do to be involved. Unfortunately, even well-intended bills can have unintended negative consequences. If the bill passes, there will be new regulations following from SC DNR.

House Bill 4831 has passed the House and is headed to the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee. 

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2656458114436125.

Indiana Update

UPDATE: The bill did not receive a vote at either of the last two hearings and it seems it will once again die. Read about House bill 1200 at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2667524226662847.

Oklahoma ALERT

House bill 3604 is a “Dangerous Wild Animal” bill with an included species list.

LINK: www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.2656047597810510/2677132029035400

Los Angeles Alert

A last-minute amended proposal was snuck in without public notice and passed the Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee on Wednesday, February 5.

The new ordinance will now be heard before the full City Council on February 18.

You can read the latest draft ordinance at http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2016/16-1357_ord_draft_02-04-2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3MpY1X-aBGxDlK4dfy6M2c4aDIqqy3tSNDgVSayPMcC1Z2Y5GAMxcKB6Q.

NOTE that the new draft was not filed until Feb. 4 and the hearing and vote occurred on Feb. 5. This meant ZERO opportunity for stakeholder and public input.

L.A. City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 18.
JOHN FERRARO COUNCIL CHAMBER
ROOM 340, CITY HALL
200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

Full details at www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/2375087185906554.

Crocodile Conservation Fundraiser and IgaunaFest Update

The awesome people behind CrocFest are at it again! They have been helping save crocodiles for 10 years and they want this to be the biggest and best fundraiser yet. To cap off their 20th anniversary of Croc School, they will be holding a huge benefit and auction on April 24 at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. 

All CrocFest proceeds will go to a project in Timor Leste concerning human-crocodile conflict issues involving the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). More details to follow but this will be the first time CrocFest has raised money for a project associated with Salties!

Get all of the details at www.facebook.com/crocfests or www.crocfest.org.

The 3rd IguanaFest has been postponed until next year. The new IguanaLand wlll welcome all iguana fans in 2021! Join the group below for updates.

IguanaFest Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/135371496972792

Donate to the USARK Legal Defense Fund

Information for making donations online and via check/money order can be found at www.usark.org/reptile-defense-fund-2/. You can make one-time, weekly, monthly or annual donations. You can also include a message that will be posted on the Legal Defense Fund Donor Wall at www.usark.org/usark-announcement/reptile-defense-donor-wall/ for all to see. You can even choose to make your donation or donation amount anonymous. Thanks for your support as we constantly battle legislation against responsible reptile and amphibian keeping. USARK is not possible without your donations.

Find A Vet

Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661
Reptile Shows and Related Events 
Visit our show page at www.usark.org/list-of-reptile-shows
Please note that our website is still undergoing work to resolve several issues. Thanks for your understanding and support!

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