What do you think I've been preaching for the last...umteem months! Try to get any of these people motivated and they will tell you the problem does not concern them. Then they whine when their rights are taken away. How many of you have responded for example to the proposed Boiga Ban? I offered to send a copy of our local (Florida)response to anyone who wanted to sign and/or circulate it. So far no one on the forums has asked for it. Yet itthe legislation) will have a huge impact on all of us as it can be expanded to include practically any snake.

I spend a good deal of time each month preparing an educational program for my herp society and that is only a small part of the educational program the society offers...Do any of the local herp breeders/dealers attend? NO. We get 10-12 people (mostly regular members) who show up. Policing ourselves has to start with Motivation Education.

The people in the best position to stimulate keepers into educating themselves or joining Herp societies are the Business people. They have the most contact. It is a pity that we so often see herp society members become dealers and then quit the society. Especially when I see so many of them that have a very limited education about any snake other than what they breed and/or sell and are not interested in getting that education.

lastly (lest I ramble), We need to lose this "It Does not Effect Me" additude on these issues. The law does not have to be specific to be all inclusive. A law that effects gopher tortoises can be used to make a law that effects ratsnakes or even Goldfish. These issues have to be faced and people need to get off their butts and start getting involved before they find themselves with a nice photo collection to remember their Herps by.

Frank

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