I began realizing the problems in our hobby and the laws which are flying through every day. Mostly you all do not see it because the majority of the laws passing are about venomous and nobody is willing to stick up for responsible venomous keepers if they do not keep any venomous snakes. I do not keep venomous snakes but I am aware their bans are just another step closer to more snakes being banned. Right now I have nearly no chance at even being able to keep venomous with a permit because of the way the laws are slipping through. To be honest I would do double what the florida system requires and give 2000 hours with 2 years in order to obtain a permit to keep some of the snakes I love. I currently keep all my snakes (which is quite a few) in a separate room with nearly all of them in locked enclosures. And my snakes are not even near threatening...But the way I keep my snakes is how they need to be kept. I will not even risk any snake getting out and someone complaining about loose snakes. And people who see my reptile room see the great lengths I go to in order to keep my animals contained and in a safe manor for snakes, persons, and our entire hobby. I did not have a local herp society but I registered one through the university. It took a while to get it going but we are doing some great educational shows in the next few months and doing our best to correct the wrongs people have done to this hobby. And find a good herp society because many are all about raffles and "show off your pet." My herp society is all about educating the members on how to promote a good image for the public. Every time I hear about a proposed bill to ban any reptile I read it in front of the members and send out emails for people to politely write to their political voices about why the ban is a terrible idea. Do whatever you can and you can always sart by making sure the image you put out as a herp keeper is a good one.

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• To Rob Carmichael - Niko8, Sun Feb 6 17:31:14 2005
• RE: To Rob Carmichael - nervous, Sun Feb 6 18:48:44 2005
• RE: To Rob Carmichael - toddbecker, Sun Feb 6 20:49:34 2005
• Get involved with your local herp society.....more (please read) - eunectes4, Mon Feb 7 01:19:14 2005
• RE: To Rob Carmichael - Carmichael, Mon Feb 7 08:11:53 2005