You are absolutely correct in that we also need public opinion on our side as well. IMO though, this has been and will likely continue to be an up hill battle when we are up against the likes of Wayne Pacelle and H$US. I hate to say this, but the AR machine is very, very smart, and well versed in being able to manipulate, or influence public opinion, and thus has the financial backing to prove it. Just look at how well their ads on television asking for donations with the images of sad, and abused puppies and kittens in animal shelters have worked for them. ~70% of American believe that HSUS is an umbrella group that represents local animal shelters, and over 60% believe they are affiliated with local shelters when in fact, they contribute LESS than 1% to them. Similarly, they recognize the widespread fear, misunderstanding, and xenophobia much of the public holds towards the animals we keep, and they regularly exploit that to their advantage.

With what seems like an ever increasing slew of H$US funded anti exotic documentaries and films- "Fatal Attractions", "Animal Hoarding", and "Man Eating Super Snakes" on Animal Planet, as well as H$US backed documentary "The Elephant in the Living Room", I am seeing an increased need for us to have our own counter-documentaries that highlight the truth behind what herpetoculture, and exotic animal keeping is about as opposed to teaching people sensationalized chicken little "sky is falling" mentalities. Fortunately, there are. Have you heard about Herpers the Movie II and The Venom Interviews? If not, I highly recommend you look into those and purchase them when they become available. We may not have the multi-million $$$ funding to be able to push for them in major theaters or film festivals the way H$US, Tim Harrison, and the AR machine has, but without them we will stand no chance at all in hoping to win the PR war against us...

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