I can honestly say I am happy to be starting a new week. For reptile people, this week was hell. S373 passed the Environment and Public Works committee with some revisions and is moving ahead. Our next steps are going to be big in a make or break situation. The current amendment is to add the following species to the Lacey act of Injurious animals:



Burmese Python

African Rock Python (both northern and southern species)

Boa Constrictor (this means as written any snake with Latin name boa constrictor XXX)

Reticulated python

Yellow Anaconda

Deschauensee’s anaconda

Green anaconda

Beni anaconda





What would it mean if this bill passes as it stands now? These species will be prohibited to travel interstate for any reason. If you own them, you can still keep them, but they can only be sold within your state and cannot legally be shipped. If you need to move for any reason out of your state, they cannot go with you. Senator James Inhofe is the only senator who requested that his vote against be recorded. Although I didn't like some of his comments regarding that, he did want his vote to be against.



We need to act against this bill -- and that means each of us, including you. Schedule a face to face meeting with your Senators. If you don't already know who your senators are, please visit this link and find out. Jeff Barringer already has his scheduled, and I will have mine scheduled tomorrow.



You may not meet with your senator, but a staffer. Bring prepared notes so you hit the points you wish to address. Attack facts that are wrong and try to keep your emotions in check. Remember no matter what to be polite. A bad attitude in these meetings can leave a bad memory.



One thing I am doing is getting dressed a little bit snazzier. And I fully intend to wear a turtleneck. There is an image immediately associated with reptile keepers. Let's prove to them we are not miscreants. We are normal folks, and we have normal lives that include the keeping of reptiles. When you get your meeting, please let us know how it went on our Herp Law and CITES Forum.



USARK also has a a letter writing tool. It's quick and easy. You can edit or add text to the letter they provide, and I do suggest it! Adding the personal touch is always a good thing -- but again, remember to remain polite. Consider forwarding the form letter to your local news agencies as well.



President Obama stated he wants to be more accessible than any other president. Let's take him up on the offer. Time to put political beliefs aside and reach out. Remember he has children that are allergic to pet dander. How many folks who keep reptiles are in the same boat? There is a contact link on the White House website, but also consider taking the extra step and sending a fax or making a phone call to the comment line at 202-456-1111.



This weekend I handed out pre-typed letters for folks to use to mail in to their senators at my rescue's adoption events. Reaching out to folks who keep dogs and cats as well as reptiles will be a big key for us. Get out there, spend a day at a pet store. Talk with folks. Reach out to your local vet clinics. The biggest success we had with HR669 was the fact that it was all-encompassing and we got the ear of other segments of the pet industry. We need to do this again to be successful.



One thing I wanted to touch on is I am seeing a lot of folks saying "Ok, ball pythons are off, I don't need to worry anymore." Unfortunately, ball python keepers can't take that attitude. Once a law gets passed, it makes it that much easier to merely add a species to the amendment. Just because ball pythons are in the clear does not mean that they will remain so for long. Attack the scariest and the rest can easily fall.



Please be sure to keep us updated on what you are doing and if you are seeing. We are in the thick of things now, and we all need to take those extra steps to ensure our hobby remains for generations to come.
Pethobbyist blog..


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Cindy Steinle

PHFaust

Email Cindy

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