Action Alert: This rule would allow USFWS to add species as injurious (making importation, interstate commerce and interstate transportation illegal) without full due process afforded under the law. This affects reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, small mammals and a huge portion of the pet industry. Any species listed would disappear from the pet community. Spread this information to all pet owners and protect your rights. The U.S. Federal Government needs to hear your voices! Remember to be civil and professional in any correspondence. This “Categorical Exclusion” would make USFWS exempt from NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) requirements.

You can view the Action Alert with 4 steps on how to support your herp and exotic pet community at www.usark.org/action-alert/usfws-categorical-exclusion-2/.

You can also view additional USARK information and action concerning Cat Ex at www.usark.org/uncategorized/catex-update-and-usark-in-d-c-92413/.

The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the possession of wild and exotic animals (including herps) through a permit system, providing rule-making capability to authorities. Through rule-making, legislatures can first set broad definitions and statutes, then create stricter regulations without public comment or awareness. The rule-making process can easily lead to overreaching regulations. For example, a list of prohibited animals could be set in 2014 and then amended at will by authorities.View the Action Alert and information for this bill at www.usark.org/2014-blog/2014-west-virginia-sb-371/.

Tarantula and Exotic Pet Keepers Action Alert

Please take a couple minutes and let USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) know your concerns regarding listing 11 non-native species of tarantula under the ESA (Endangered Species Act). This could end the trade of captive bred animals. If you do nothing else, please go to the comments site and say something such as:

“Regardless of ESA listing of one or more species, please provide for the exemption of captive bred animals from the possession and interstate sales regulation.”

Comment at http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FWS-HQ-ES-2013-0107-0001 (Deadline is 2/3/14).

View much more information and a message from Christian Elowsky (President of the American Tarantula Society) at www.usark.org/2014-blog/tarantula-and-exotic-pet-keeper-comments-needed/.

New York A 2869

A2869 has again been referred to the Agriculture Committee (Assembly). The bill was introduced in 2013 and is back in 2014. A2869 will make, “Any person owning, possessing or harboring a wild animal or reptile capable of inflicting bodily harm upon a human being” guilty of a class E felony. This bill is upgrading the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony. You can contact legislators to let them know this is an unnecessary use of time and money, and a very harsh punishment for someone who may not be aware of this law.

View more information at www.usark.org/2014-blog/2014-new-york-a2869/.

Washington State Residents

Below is a message from Predators of the Heart Sanctuary:

A group in Anacortes, Washington will soon face the same legislation as Ohio. Currently there is a law in the works that will ban all exotics with no grandfathering. This means that without your help dozens, if not more, animals will be without homes. Without homes means that they will inevitably be put down.

Jordan Russell and Myke Clarkson knocked it out the park for RAACA Auctions Round 2 to benefit USARK and the Reptile Defense Fund. Thanks to generous donations and committed bidders, RAACA raised over $52,000. You can get all the details at www.facebook.com/groups/RAACAUCTIONS. Thank you, Myke, Jordan, Rebecca, Tammy and all involved. Your work and roles as supportive members of the herp world are appreciated. A list of donors is below.Also, for their next fundraiser and with the help of Jeff Ronne (The Boaphile), RAACA will be selling a limited 2500 raffle tickets for a chance to win $10,000+ in Boaphile Plastics caging. Buy tickets and get details at www.RAACA.net.

Donors: Russell Lawson (Green Swamp Herpetological), Alpert’s Exotics, Jordan Russell (Breedersource.com), Katie Grabill, Herp Nation, Tom Crutchfield Reptiles, Josh Trout, Treacher’s Creatures, DZB Reptiles (Debra and Jeffrey Poe), Mike Dee, Donny De mars, Loren Morales, Jereme James (America’s Finest Balls), Fred Kick (Kicks Balls), Sandy Felker, Ramy Guirguis (Reptile Super Show), Drew Reinhardt (Phoenix Reptile Expo), Bob Ashley/Brian Potter (NARBC: North American Reptile Breeders Conference). Mike Bell, Jason (Protean Terrarium Design), Michelle Verheyden, Myke Clarkson, Prehistoric Pets, Gorgeousgecko.com, Perfect Predators, TortoiseSupply.com, Sticky Tongue Farms, Mad City Reptiles, Alec Feldman, DIYCages.com, Nadilyn Beato – Wildlife Illustrator, Shannon Hammer, Jeff Mintz, Rick Gravely, Erik Veach (Geckotropolis), Bi-Polar Herps and Inverts, Martin Habecker & Jay Fiore, Millipedes And More, Gavin Bowe (In Your Face Exotix), Scott Miller, R&B Reptiles, Ken Foose at Exotic Pets Las Vegas, Mike Torosian, Russ Gurley, PJ LeDorze, California Zoological Supply (Cal Zoo), Maryanne DellaSalla (Steel City Scales), Tics and Balls, Ryan Young, Ben Siegel Reptiles, John Chang, Hardy Reptiles, Winters Reptiles, Jeff Luman Reptiles, Brad Chambers, Carson Phelps, Travis Kuhse, Dan Mulleary (DM Exotics), Matt Buchanan, Jeff Hagen, Rat Trap Reptiles, Jim Jolly & Mike Powell, LLLReptile & Supply, Darrel’s Pet Shop, Dart Frog Connection, Little Critters Pet Shop, Gene @ Paradise Reptiles, Magical Geckos, Jeff Byers, Christine Lopez and Steven Ibbotson, DCM Designer Constrictor Morphs, East Bay Vivarium, James Osborne, Beatrice’s Reptiles, Diego Ortiz, Joe Rollo Reptiles – BCI JOE, Joe Schmidt of 3rd Room Reptiles, Joe Ellis, Ritchie Luna (HerpVenue.com), Reunion Reptiles, Josh’s Frogs, Salvador Veleta, New England Reptile, Anonymous, Bill Brant – The Gourmet Rodent, Shawn Gray of NightGlow Reptiles, Joseph Saunders, CDP Dogos (Rick), Underground Reptiles, Chinsu Kim La Habra Pets, TSK Supply, Evan Stahl, Justin Guyer, Sam Scālz Fine Art, Yvonne Carpenter, Biological Jewels, Siren Fish & Reptiles, Reptile Ave, Golden Gate Geckos, Salvador Veleta, Angels Exotic Reptiles, Paul Becker and Invertebrates Unlimited, The Chicago Reptile House, Lonnie Cornell, Kevin Smith (North Star Herp), Riverside County Pitbulls, Jeff Wieland, Thomas Photopulos @ K & E Geckos, Thor Gecko, Shawn Heflick Reptiles, Inc., Jon Boone, Buffalo Bill Exotics, Jeff Wilson, Kentucky Reptile Zoo, Crystal Dickneite, Crystal Dickneite, RC Furniture, Kammerflage Kreations, Greathouse Farm, Jason Bartolett, Visionary Exotics, Riley J. Campbell, Kris Haas, Amanda Rose Wanner, Paul White, Ragin’ Redtails and Exotics, Bill Galloway, Loxahatchee Herp Hatchery and ShipYourReptiles.com for discounted shipping rates