NARBC Texas and WIN in Florida!
NARBC Arlington The big show is back in Texas! If you like reptiles and amphibians, you should be there. Need something new and interesting for the family to do? This is it! Lots of animals. Loads of education! Tons to see! Get out and head over to the show. See below for show safety protocols. DO NOT MISS the USARK benefit auction Saturday night ...
Big win in Florida! Lawsuit update!
USARK FL Got It Done! It was a good day! Mid-afternoon on September 3rd, Circuit Judge John C. Cooper ruled from Tallahassee, Florida, that USARK FL was correct in its challenge that Senate Bill 1414 (SB1414) violated the Florida Constitution. The legislative bill that was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis banning tegus and green iguanas as pets, as ...
NARBC St. Louis! Daytona auction record and FL lawsuit update.
NARBC is back! We may have missed March but the big show is back and it is happening this weekend... in St. Louis! NARBC is making it happen for its loyal vendors and attendees. It does not matter that this is the first NARBC in St. Louis. This show has been rockin' for twenty years now and they know how to do it right ...
Newsletter 8/13/20
USARK FL Lawsuit Updates Released by USARK FL: On August 12, 2020, Tallahassee Circuit Judge John Cooper did not rule on USARK Florida’s request for an injunction. However, he did expedite our lawsuit. Rather than going through witness testimony and hearing the arguments on the injunction, he chose to fast forward the lawsuit schedule. We find this to be a very favorable ...
Florida Lawsuit and Updates
Florida Lawsuit and FWC Draft Rule Updates Did you know? USARK FL has filed a lawsuit! There is a lot of information to process regarding this matter. We will post all of the pertinent links here. As a very brief summary: Senate Bill 1414 passed the Florida Legislature on March 11; Florida Governor DeSantis signed the bill on June 29; FWC ...
ACTION ALERTS: Florida and Alabama
ACTION ALERT: Florida SB1414 has been presented to the Governor. We need a veto! It becomes law without his signature by June 30 if he does not sign it. A veto is the only way to stop this. What To Do: Please contact the office of Governor DeSantis: Call his office: (850) 488-7146 or (850) 717-9337Simply say, "I am a ...
Newsletter: Alabama ALERT, Protect the Harvest, CITES survey
ALERT: Alabama Deadline to comment: July 6, 2020 The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has proposed a regulation to ban many species of reptiles and amphibians (and other animals). The regulation states it will be illegal to “possess, sell, offer for sale, import, bring, release, or cause to be brought or imported into the State…” any of ...
ALERT: Alabama
UPDATE: The ADCNR Commissioner has signed the regulation to ban the proposed species. You can read it at www.usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ADCNR-August-2020.pdf. USARK is still working on this matter. UPDATE 8/5/20: ADCNR announced its meeting of the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board for August 22. The agenda is vague but this proposal may be discussed. We await a response from ADCNR. Links to the ...
ALERT: Wildlife-Borne Disease Prevention Act (Federal)
UPDATE (with original alert below): The HEROES Act squeaked thought the House with a vote of 208 - 199. While it is expected that the Act will not be supported by the Senate, we all must be aware of what is happening in the current political climate._____________________________________________________________________ Buried on pages 1,628-1,635 of the latest 1,815-page House democratic draft of a ...
Federal bill: Global Wildlife Health and Pandemic Prevention Act
While the discussion draft of this bill is not alarming for herpetoculture and most other animal interest groups, it is important to keep note of the many bills that will be coming (at all levels of government). With these bills, we will see proposals for banning or heavily restricting a wide array of aspects of animals in our lives. Each ...
New website! ALERT updates
It's finally here! We have a new website and it is finally live! Thank you greatly to all of those who stuck with us while we worked to bring you a better resource for keeping updated on the important issues affecting herpetoculture. We cannot properly express how important it is for herpetoculturists to follow our coverage of matters impacting our ...
ALERT: Wildlife-Borne Disease Prevention Act (Federal)
Buried on pages 1,628-1,635 of the latest 1,815-page House democratic draft of a COVID-19 relief bill known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act) is the text of the Wildlife-Borne Disease Prevention Act (the Act). In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and utilizing this crisis as a springboard, the Act has surfaced as activists ...
ALERTS and Rattlesnake Conservation!
ALERT: Oak Grove, Kentucky Oak Grove has proposed a blanket ban on all "exotic animals." Council Member Leavell stated the ban will include, "Anything that could be considered exotic." This would be a ban on herps, birds, mammals, and maybe even some fish. Essentially, this would be an open door for fines or seizures of any animal that is not a ...
4/2/20 Arkansas Alert
Arkansas Alert The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has posted their proposed changes regarding the "captive wildlife" regulation. The deadline to comment is April 15, 2020. The complete set of changes can be found at www.drive.google.com/file/d/1SbK3H1lD65C54OJ5OjNVW3lji0HCYdDm/view. Note that this is 160 pages and covers more than the captive wildlife amendments. Relevant changes and pages are detailed below. Stakeholders should complete ...
3/11/20 NARBC Tinley
NARBC Tinley Park!!!(Please note: VIP badges must buy auction tickets. New auction start time of 6:00.) NARBC says, "SHOW IS ONNNNNN!!!" While some may say the March show is not as big as October, well, that is not so much the case any longer. It's still huge! Of course, USARK will be there. We will have all the answers to your questions, new ...
2/13/20 alerts NARBC TX
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 ...
2/9/20 alerts
Florida ALERT UPDATE: Both Senate bills have their second hearings this week. USARK FL, USARK, and stakeholders will be there! Keep the opposition pouring in! Full details at the Alert link below. Florida residents who have not yet done so should follow USARK FL immediately! SB906: Senate Community Affairs Committee 2/10 @ 4:00PM 404 S Monroe St. Room 301 Tallahassee, FL ...
1/30/20 alerts
Florida ALERT There is another fight in Florida. If you have followed USARK and USARK FL Alerts, you will already know that we need to fight Senate Bill 906 (SB906) and its companion bill, House Bill 1415 (HB1415). Now an even worse bill has been assigned a hearing, SB1414, which has a companion bill, HB777. In addition to banning the possession and any activities ...
Newsletter: 12/30/19 Super Show Anaheim
Is it even possible? New location. New city. New HUGENESS! If you thought the Reptile Super Show was big before, well... IT GREW! It is this weekend and it is three acres of all things reptile and amphibian! Bring the family and see the amazement in the eyes of the young ones (and the adults, too). The USARK benefit auction is ...
11/1/19 Statement
Statement on Reptile Facility Tragedy It is with great sadness we have learned that on Wednesday, October 30th, a woman was found dead at a reptile breeding facility in Oxford, Indiana. Read our full statement at www.usark.org/uncategorized/facility-tragedy/. Facebook post: www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesAssociationOfReptileKeepers/photos/a.398227663592526/2507138466034758/ ACTION ALERT: New Cumberland, PA The borough of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania has proposed a new animal ordinance (Ordinance #704) covering both domesticated and ...
Statement on Reptile Facility Tragedy
It is with great sadness we have learned that on Wednesday, October 30th, a woman was found dead at a reptile breeding facility in Oxford, Indiana. The victim was found unconscious with a reticulated python around her neck and shoulders, and efforts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. An autopsy to determine the official cause of death has been scheduled for Friday, ...
ACTION ALERT: New Cumberland, PA
UPDATE 11/7/19: Thanks to overwhelming opposition from those appeared to speak, the ordinance was tabled at the November 7 meeting, meaning there was no vote. This is very good but a lot of still needs to be done. Only very minor edits have been done so far, such as allowing one pot-bellied pig. The Council claims this ordinance will stop ...
ACTION ALERT: Utah herp regulations
The Division of Wildlife Resources of the Utah Department of Natural Resources has issued proposed changes to the State's wildlife regulations regarding reptiles and amphibians (herps). While we do not believe the problems created with the proposal are intentional, the Division should edit their amendments to avoid the many unintended consequences. The deadline to comment is 5:00 PM on October ...
10/28/19 PA 928, Utah, and Natchez
ACTION ALERT: Pennsylvania "Animal Act" ban Pennsylvania Senate Bill 928 is yet another "Traveling Animal Act" ban. This one has some new language and it even impacts domesticated animals in addition to the usual "exotic" animals. Exotic in this bill means any species not native to the United States and any non-domesticated species. We explain it all at the link ...
ACTION ALERT: Ban in Natchez, Mississippi
All local animal owners need to review the proposal and contact city officials as this proposal affects all animals. Natchez, Mississippi has proposed a blanket ban on all "exotic" animals and also common livestock. There are also new permits and regulations for dogs and cats. The exotic animal ban will include every species except "dogs, cats, pot-bellied pigs or other ...
ACTION ALERT: Pennsylvania Animal Program Ban SB928
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 928 is like many of the "Traveling Animal Act" bans we have seen proposed this year, but it manages to go even further. This bill is more than a ban on travel with animals which would include educational outreach programs. It bans any "exhibitor" from having live animals in traveling exhibitions, but you need to know what ...
L.A. Exotic Animal Act Ordinance August 2019
UPDATE 10/3/19: The next hearing of the Personnel and Animal Welfare Committee will be October 16 @ 2:00 PM. Please try to attend and voice opposition! Details below. DATE: Wednesday, October 16, 2019 @ 2:00 PM LOCATION: Los Angeles City Hall Room 1060 200 North Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Los Angeles posted (8/23/19) a proposed ordinance to regulate ...
ACTION ALERT: Branson, MO
UPDATE 5/19/21: The most recently announced meeting is for Ward l and will take place on May 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the Clay Cooper Theater, located at 3216 W. 76 Country Blvd. UPDATE 5/1/21: This ordinance is still being discussed and here is a new article on the matter. Any local residents should meet with their Alderperson and educate ...
New York state proposed regulation changes
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing changes to Title 6 (Environmental Conservation), Chapter 1 (Fish & Wildlife), Part 180 (Miscellaneous Regulations). This proposal takes many reptile and other species currently heavily regulated as "wild animals" by the DEC under Environmental Conservation Article 11 - Fish and Wildlife Title 1 and reclassifies them as "animals dangerous to health ...
Action Alert: West Virginia Reptile Ban
UPDATE: Thanks to an outpouring of opposition and education, the WV DWA Board has withdrawn the proposed amendments to the State's Dangerous Wild Animals Act from consideration. Thank you to all of those who supported our efforts to stop these additions to the State's Dangerous Wild Animal list. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The West Virginia Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) Board has released its ...
Make A Donation
If you would like to donate to the cause without a membership, use the donate button to do so.
Join Our Mailing List
Become A member
Recent Posts
- ALERT: Rhode Island tegu permit
- ALERT: Pennington County, SD
- ALERT: Arkansas tegu ban
- ALERT: Idaho rat ban
- ALERT: Powell, WY
- 2025 CITES Recap
- ALERT: Orangeburg, SC
- ESA amendments
- ESA: Southern hognose proposed as threatened
- ALERT: Colorado Herp Rule Review
- ALERT: LEMIS FOIA
- ALERT: Borneo Earless Monitors ESA Listing
- Illinois Endangered Species List Amendment
- ALERT: Blue Tree Monitor ESA Listing
- Wisconsin Herp Rule Review
- ALERT: Vermont slider ban
- ALERT: Lincoln County, NC
- ALERT: Federal Herp and Fish Regulations
- ALERT: New Palestine, IN
- 2025 CITES Standing Meeting recap