If you read their mission statement, the first sentence sounds good.... but the last sentence "The health of these animals, public safety, and maintaining ecological integrity are our primary concerns"....makes it sound like their primary concern is not pet owners right to keep reptiles.

It seems like we are dealing with a free market issue here. The right to keep trade and sell reptiles of our choice. Although the environmental issues are important. With limited time, funds, and money I don't know why they would be focusing on that. Especially since there are so many organzation already covering environmentalism. I am not saying one should not support USARK I just think the primary concern and focus must be on pet owners/breeders/ reptile keepers. Just my opinion.

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Mission Statement


The US Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) is a science and education based advocacy for the responsible private ownership of, and trade in reptiles. We endorse caging standards, sound husbandry, escape prevention protocols, and an integrated approach to vital conservation issues. Our goal is to facilitate cooperation between government agencies, the scientific community, and the private sector in order to produce policy proposals that will effectively address important husbandry and conservation issues. The health of these animals, public safety, and maintaining ecological integrity are our primary concerns.
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