Federal Ban ?

[estott]

whats every ones input on the Federal ban that is being looked at that will ban all non native species ?

its on the notice part of the forums..

 

[redsman]

I belive its rediculous,just another way for them to kill another freedom of ours we really need to take time to do our part in this come guys.

 

[brsisko]

based on my understand of the verbage, there is no ban on leoparg geckos. the case could be made that they could be "danger to the economy/endangered wildlife" of the united states but that seems highly doubtful. in additon, thousands of bill find their way throught the legislative process in america but a small fraction actually become law. i do not think this is anything to worry about

 

[LizMarie]

i think that ban is uncalled for and useless.. this country has other issues that are more severe, why are they worrying about exotics? Whatever I hope it doesn't pass because I believe their will be an increase of people trying to smuggle banned exotics into the US which in many cases leads to animal abuse.

 

[Redleg]

Before we get carried away in voicing our opinions about this piece of proposal (not law yet!)............

We should contact our respective elected officials in Washington DC and let him/her know how we feel and why we should not support this pending legislation.

I have contacted my US Congressman and Senator, what about you?

 

[fallen_angel]

Well this being a gecko forum, we're all against it lol

All reptiles, fish, birds, and some mammals (hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, etc) would have to be on an approved list, should this bill get passed. Many would not be approved.

Any animals not appearing on the "approved list" could not be imported or even moved from state to state.

Trade in all such unlisted species would come to a halt - posession would be limited and all breeding would have to cease.

Should HR669 be adopted as written, only the following native animals would be allowed:

-any cat (Feline catus)
-cattle or oxen (Bos taurus)
-chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)
-dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
-donkey or ass (Eguus asinus)
-domesticated members of the family Anatidae (geese)
-duck (domesticated Anas spp.)
-goat (Capra aegagrus hircus)
-goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus)
-horse (Equus caballus)
-llama (Lama glama)
-mule or hinny (Equus caballus x E. asinus)
-pig or hog (Sus scrofa domestica)
-domesticated varieties of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
-sheep (Ovis aries)

introduced by Del. Madeleine Bordallo in Guam


You can go to www.nohr669.com for a fast and easy way to contact the people you need to :main_thumbsup:

 

[Barbel]

based on my understand of the verbage, there is no ban on leoparg geckos

It would absolutely effect leopard geckos. They are a non native species and an exotic pet. Even if it didn't we all would still need to help the other herpers, because if we didn't and say, they banned snakes, they would likely move to large lizards, and then to small lizards and so on until all the non native reptiles were banned. Banning one at a time would probably be easier than doing it all at once anyway. So if they revise this and the big snakes are up for banning, those keepers will ask for our help and they will need our help just as we would need theirs if geckos were up for banning.
I don't fully believe that this will pass as is, because I would think that a lot of government people or their children have some sort of exotic pet on this list. I do think they will revise it. In either case, if you think it is nothing to worry about and do nothing, you will definitely be kicking yourself when it passes. Better safe than sorry right?

 

[Brhaco]

We need to take this threat VERY seriously. First off, this bill has widespread support in the Democratic party. Just take a moment to look at all the "heavy hitters"-including Barney Frank-who have signed on as co-sponsors. worse, there so far does not seem to be ANY substantial opposition in the party. They are serious about passing this bill as is, this year. Plus, the supporters of the bill, PETA and HSUS, are outspending us and "out-lobbying" us by a substantial margin.

As for leopard geckos, I doubt seriously that they have a chance of ending up on the "approved" list. For example, I'm quite sure they could survive very well in the wild here in the Texas Hill country, where the winters are nowhere near as harsh as in their native Pakistan-afghanistan (but summer conditions are similarly hot/dry).

In fact, don't count on very many herps getting on the "approved" list-what biologist or other regulator is going to be willing to put his career on the line and certify that a species of herp is "non-invasive, anywhere in the U.S."?? It's going to be a very short list. I fear that three years from now we're all going to be limited to keeping a few native herps, if that.

 

[fallen_angel]

I agree.. if this bill passes, say goodbye to your reptile shows.. we'd be lucky to get leos on the list, and even IF they were.. you're still saying goodbye to most fish, snakes, lizards, turtles, inverts, birds.. the "approved list" isn't very long as you can see.

 

[ajveachster]

I find it very sad. There are several times it is stated that the approved animals need to not be a detriment to the economy. Stopping the reptile industry would be a detriment to the economy for sure. It isn't just the breeders. There are the supply companies, feeder companies, advertisers (web designers) etc...that would also be affected. This is something that does need our action. If this does go through I wonder how many congressmen will be telling their children they can't have a hamster, because it is illegal.

 

[estott]

I find it very sad. There are several times it is stated that the approved animals need to not be a detriment to the economy. Stopping the reptile industry would be a detriment to the economy for sure. It isn't just the breeders. There are the supply companies, feeder companies, advertisers (web designers) etc...that would also be affected. This is something that does need our action. If this does go through I wonder how many congressmen will be telling their children they can't have a hamster, because it is illegal.

You are 100% correct it would effect many busineses out there. this would be a great topic to base our argument on .

Another thing that I would like to know is how they can prove in so little time if a species poses a threat to the enviorment... some are obvious but others are not as obvious. I think they need to go a totaly diffrent route with this. I dont agree with any of it at all, but they could just review the animals on this so called "list" and which ever animals are considered to be possible threats should just be monitored more closely. breeders for instance may be requierd to have additinal liscences, pet owners may need to register with there state as an exotics owner.. of course this dosent solve there problem that they see of exotic threats, and some people are still going to break the law,but taking away all our animals, hobbies, and business doent solve anything either. The only reason (that i can see) we are in this positon is becasue of a special few that get tired of there large snakes or adult monitors and realeas them in there back yard.

So, i think our focous now should be what additinal steps can we take(on top of making that phone call) to insure that this ban is looked at much closer and reconsidered all to gether

 

[estott]

http://www.nohr669.com/
here is a site that a lot of the other members have been passing around that will send a pre written email to congress.. GO here and send your email expressing your concerns

 

[juiceredrum]

dont treat this like hey whatever these jackasses make dumb bills all the time , but they get passed , speak out this is an encrouchment on our freedoms , the thing is that most people speak about things like hey whatever , but dont do nothing , then complain
that there effected later

 

[Master_Lazell]

All I want to say is I refuse to get rid of my gecko.

 

[fallen_angel]

Yup... GIVE ME GECKOS OR GIVE ME DEATH!!!
LOL

There will be a HUGE black market if this happens, that's for sure.. which will also could hurt the animals in the long run.

 

[e_cupcake26]

Whenever I'm faced with an issue like this, I try to see both sides of the issue. (I've also sent my email to them)I believe that what they are trying to accomplish is right however the method is wrong. From my understanding it sounds like The National Wildlife and Oceans dept. wants to protect America's natural wildlife and eco system from the irresponisible exotic pet owners that dump their pets in the wild, thus offsetting the delicate natural balance. When you introduce non-native species to an area there are very harmful affects to eco system. For example, I know everyone's heard about what's happening in the Everglades. The giant snakes are eating alligators and there's not a natural predator for these snakes to regulate their numbers. The poor american crocodile that has been pushed to the outskirts of the everglades doesn't stand a chance for survival, if things continue at the rate they are going. They are also eating native bird species that are now on the endangered species list. Even where I live there are colonies of parrokeets and now you don't see blue jays and cardinals, robins, and etc. because the non-native species vie for territory, food, and breeding grounds. So I can definetely understand the feeling for a need to do something. But at the same time what about the responsible owners that take their pets to the vet instead of dumping them? or The breeder that follows up with their offspring after they've been adopted out? Why are cats on the safe list even though I love cats, feral cats reproduce at light speed and can cause more damage to a local eco system faster than any iguana, boa, or cockatoo? So while I understand the rational behind the bill, I totally disagree with the method!! and their stupid list!!!:main_angry: I guess I better go get me a pet goat!!:main_thumbsdown::main_angry:

 

[snowgyre]

Erica, thank you!! You're completely right, and I'm so relieved to see someone else is also aware that while the methods of the bill are wrong that the ultimate goal, that of protecting our native wildlife and ecosystems, is entirely right.

I completely agree about the whole feral cat fiasco too. It's amazing how people prioritize things based solely upon what's cute and fuzzy, so cats are protected when all the native wildlife aren't. It's sad.

 

[ReptilianGems]

I would say it is just more change we can believe in. (just my humble opinion, based on 5 decades of experience)