State Senator Richard Alloway in Pennsylvania is seeking a state-wide ban on the sale and purchase (but not possession) of alligators and venomous snakes. A lot of misinformation has surfaced about this in the last week, but I want to share what I know and encourage all keepers to get involved and contact Senator Alloway's office. They are receiving a lot of feedback from the reptile community already. I corresponded with his office today, asking them to reconsider the law. They said they are still discussing it, so please get involved.



Here is the link for the current version of the bill:

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CSM/2011/0/6934.pdf



At this point the bill has not been introduced because Senator Alloway is still seeking legislators to consponsor it.



Our reptile rescue receives weekly calls for unwanted alligators, which cannot be kept properly for more than a few years in our climate. We constantly get calls for gators which have been dumped in local creeks, or discovered around town or in vacant apartments, etc, creating bad PR for all reptile keepers (as well as a terrible quality of life for the gators). Consequently, I do support regulation on the sale and purchase (not possession) of American Alligators, but ONLY American Alligators.



I know that regulating anything in our hobby, even alligators, is unpopular with many keepers. But we can all agree that a ban on several species at once is not good for anyone. Please contact Senator Alloway's office and make your concerns known at www.senatoralloway.com. You can also find an email address in the link for the bill, which goes to one of his staff that is personally working on the bill.



Keep in mind the senator is being pressured by other groups that do not share our interests. But he needs to hear from us too, so please be respectful and reasonable.



Now is the time to make your voice heard in his office and be a part of the process.



Your friend in education and conservation,

Jesse Rothacker




Current bill banning gators and venomous


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Jesse Rothacker

Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary

www.forgottenfriend.org

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