Remember to be CIVIL and PROFESSIONAL at all times!
Deadline to comment is June 27!
WHAT: Chapter 55 of the Washoe County Code regarding animals will likely soon be revised. Outside groups and extremists are pushing for bans and overregulation. At the June 28th meeting, Washoe County Animal Control will give a presentation to the Commission and then ask for direction on how to proceed with the exotic animals code, which includes reptiles. Local stakeholders desire a workshop to discuss matters, but one in which their expert input will be accepted, not dismissed. Washoe County contains some very knowledgeable keepers who are willing to work with the County for common sense regulations. The County just needs to listen and collaborate to avoid unintended consequences.
The current working draft holds a heavy animal rights undertone and it’s obvious these groups have been involved. They will take all they get to eliminate animals from our lives.
The Humane Society of the United States (“HSUS”) is highly involved with this matter and they have supplied misinformation and false propaganda to the commissioners. HSUS actually submitted a letter stating constrictor snakes are known for “preying on experienced reptile handlers.” If HSUS is the only voice heard because the reptile and exotic animal communities do not speak up, it’s obvious more bans will be seen. They are pushing for a ban on pythons (seemingly ALL species), plus many other animals.
Washoe County and Nevada residents should call and email County Commissioners to request a workshop to be sure the voices of the exotic animal community are heard. County officials have not been receptive of the information from experts and those who actually work with these animals.
Do not let animal rights groups make our laws! We do not have their fraudulently raised millions of dollars, but we have expertise, facts, legitimate science and the truth to support us. We only need to make enough noise to be heard. They need to hear the opposition NOW, as well as at the meeting.
Any communications with officials should request a workshop with an outside moderator so that the input of the exotic animal community will be heard. Remember to be professional and civil at all times!
PUBLIC MEETING:
June 28 at 10:00 a.m. PDT
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
1001 E. 9th Street
Reno, Nevada 89512
Sample Letter
Copy/paste these email addresses into your email’s “To” box (even better to send individual emails):
mberkbigler@washoecounty.us, blucey@washoecounty.us, Kjung@washoecounty.us, vhartung@washoecounty.us, vhartung@washoecounty.us, jherman@washoecounty.us, stone@washoecounty.us, sschull@washoecounty.us, rasmith@washoecounty.us, jslaughter@washoecounty.us, kschiller@washoecounty.us, stone@washoecounty.us
Copy/paste one of these subject lines, or write your own:
- Chapter 55 revisions must include local stakeholders
- Work with locals to fix Chapter 55
- Use local experts for animal code revisions
- Don’t let extremists rewrite animal code
Copy/paste this sample letter. It is important to personalize/edit at least some of the letter.
Dear Washoe County Commissioner,
As a responsible animal owner who will be affected by overreaching regulations, I ask that you work with experienced Washoe County stakeholders to revise Chapter 55. Some of the most knowledgeable animal keepers in the country reside in Washoe County and they only desire a working relationship with officials to write common sense regulation. Is this really too much to ask?
Do not fall for the false propaganda provided by animal rights groups! They are not experts and do not work with these animals. Take heed! Falling for their recommendations will lead to unintended consequences and they are simply using you to advance their agenda.
Collaborating with local experts is how good government should work. They are willing to do what is best for the County, whereas extreme groups are only looking to profit, while not actually helping animals or local residents.
Do not create problems by attempting to solve problems that do not exist. Thank you for your time and consideration on this complex matter. Have a good day.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
Full Contact Information
County Commissioners and Staff: District 1 Marsha Berkbigler: 775.328.2005 mberkbigler@washoecounty.us District 2 Bob Lucey: 775.328.2005 blucey@washoecounty.us District 3 Kitty Jung: 775.219.5472 Kjung@washoecounty.us District 4 Vaughn Hartung: 775.328.2005 vhartung@washoecounty.us District 5 Jeanne Herman: 775-501-0002 jherman@washoecounty.us Additional County contacts: Sarah Tone (775)-328-2721 Constituent Services Washoe County, Office of the County Manager stone@washoecounty.us Bobby Smith, Manager Washoe County Regional Animal Services 2825A Longly Lane, Reno NV 89502 Office (775)-353-8945 RASmith@washoecounty.us Shyanne Schull, Director Washoe County Regional Animal Services 2825A Longly Lane, Reno NV 89502 P O Box 11130 Reno, NV 89520-0027 Office 775-353-8900 sschull@washoecounty.us
