ALERT: Federal Herp and Fish Regulations

Representative Betty McCollum (MN) has reintroduced a bill titled “To amend the Animal Welfare Act to include cold-blooded species as animals, and for other purposes.” McCollum introduced this at the end of the last session (died with session adjournment), and it is...

ALERT: New Palestine, IN

UPDATE 8/20/25: The ordinance passed tonight on second reading. Thank you again to all who joined USARK to educate the Council on the implications of the original draft and helped make this ordinance better. UPDATE 8/6/25: The Town Council voted, and the latest...

2025 CITES Standing Meeting recap

USARK Counsel, David A. Garcia, attended the 78th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, the final meeting before the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP), which will take place from November 24 to December 5, 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Key topics at the...
ALERT: Washington “Do Not Release” Brochure

ALERT: Washington “Do Not Release” Brochure

UPDATE 2/18/24: The hearing just ended. HB1976 received only favorable verbal testimony but dozens of people opposed the bill through the online system. USARK testified in favor with suggestions to make the end product better, such as a simpler postcard with basic...

ALERT: SC Venomous Ban

UPDATE 5/28/25: Great job to all of those who testified and opposed this ban. South Carolina has a two-year session, but this bill failed to pass Committee during the first regular session (first year of the full session). This typically means the bill is dead, but it...