Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just received a copy of the new venomous regulations that go into effect as of July 1st of this year. It is now going to be required that you post a $1000 bond with the state as well as pay the $100 for your permit each year.
Does any body know who will write the bond for this. I have called several agencys and I am having a hard time finding anyone who will do it. If you know of any companies that will write one please post them here as every one in Florida who wants to be legal will need to get this done asap.
Thanks Sam

I haven't gotten my copy yet, but I think you need to read it again. The bond is for exhibition only, and is not new. What is new is that it is most likely going to be raised from $1,000 to $10,000. That change has passed the legislature but has not been signed by the Governor yet as far as I can tell.

Again, unless you're exhibiting, that doesn't apply to you, and if you didn't know about the bond, I hope (and assume) you weren't exhibiting...
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

This is what the paperwork I was brought today by game and wildlife states word for word.

"Venomous reptiles require a permit for personal possession.Cost of the permit is $100 per year. Owners of venomous reptiles must be atleast 18 years of age,demonstrate no less than 1 year experience[no less than 1000 hours] in the husbandry of the species they plan to own or similar species within the same biological order and post a $1000 bond [effective July 1 2007]Documented experience in zoology or other relevant biological sciences at the college or technical school level or above may substitute for 6 months[or 500 hours] of the required experience. Owners of venomous reptiles must also not have been convicted of violating venomous reptile regulations for 3 years prior to their permit application."

This is word for word what is on the paper work I got from my local captive wildlife inspector today. I hope it is a misprint as I love my hots and want to keep them. I was shocked to see this change with no warning from any one. I do not display my venomous and most have no clue I have them they are for my enjoyment. I am just trying to give people a heads up about this as it seems no one knew about it.
Thanks Sam

I am fairly certain someone either made a mistake or is trying to pull a fast one. That change is NOT in the bill passed by the legislature and I'm fairly sure FWC does not have the power to make that change by regulation. I also think I would have heard the screams by now.

Here's a link to the bill awaiting the Governor's signature:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_s2766er.html&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=2766&Session=2007

I know there have been changes to the regulations recently and I haven't seen the final version, but I was at several of the meetings where the prposed changes were discussed and this was never even considered.

I will certainly be calling Tallahasse tomorow to see what's up.

Is there a letterhead or signature on the letter you received saying where it originated?
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

SB2766
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

Well I will be making some phone calls in the morning. I am hoping this is just a typo in the paper work I was given today.

Sam, I think you might of misunderstood the letter, or your local officer might have his information wrong. The $10,000 bond is only if you wish to exhibit venomous reptiles for the public. As a matter of fact, I talked with Captain John West just the other day and he reminded me if I was exhibiting, the bond goes up to $10,000 July 1st. If your looking for agencies that will post the surety bond for exhibition, Prosure Group out of Tampa is where I got mine from. Their number is (813) 243-1110

These rules haven't just snuck up. They have been working on these new regulations since August of 2005, and there have been at least four well-publicized meetings that were geared toward venomous exclusively since then. Here is the email straight from Captain West the other day in regards to the surety bond.

Hey Joe,

Yes, you do have a choice with the venomous reptiles. If you exhibit, the bond will be going to $10,000 July 1st.

John

Captain John D. West
Division of Law Enforcement
Special Operations Program Coordination
"Patrol, Protect, Preserve"
(850) 488-6253
E-mail: John.West@MyFWC.Com
Website: www.MyFWC.Com

Do you need an exibitors licence to sell hots at the FIRE show?

I didn't see alot of the other changes that were expected. This includes: labelling cages, emergency plans in the event of catastrophe, protocols, and record keeping (with TAG if over 2" diameter). Did I miss something?

Those are changes to FWC regulations. The link I posted is to changes to Florida law. I have not seen the final version of the new regulations either, which is somewhat troubling since last I heard they were schedled to go into effect NINE DAYS from now... Another thing I'll ask about tomorrow.
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

I scanned this copy of my permit from back in 1977. (notice the price? $5.00!!) I applied for a possession permit, but this is a License to Exhibit. Is this the same thing or did they send me this exhibit permit by mistake? When I apply for a new permit does this mean I do not check the box for those “If applying for the first time” ? I have no immediate plans to keep any venomous, and certainly not exhibiting. Is it a good idea to get it now before any changes take effect?

>>I scanned this copy of my permit from back in 1977. (notice the price? $5.00!!)

Yeah, it was $5 until just a few years ago.

>I applied for a possession permit, but this is a License to Exhibit. Is this the same thing or did they send me this exhibit permit by mistake?

I don't know exactly what the requirements were in 1977, but maybe that was before there was a bond requirement, which at the moment is the only extra requirement to exhibit. So there nay have only been one permit then?

>When I apply for a new permit does this mean I do not check the box for those “If applying for the first time” ?

Good question? I would call FWC (in Tallahassee, not the local office) and ask. The requirement say they can accept proof of previous permits in place of the 1000 hours, but if you haven't kept any in 30 years...

>I have no immediate plans to keep any venomous, and certainly not exhibiting. Is it a good idea to get it now before any changes take effect?

I don't think it would matter, but I'm not sure.
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

here is a pic of the paper that was dropped off to me from FWC. I was not able to call today to find out if this is a typo but I have heard that I was not the only other local venomous keeper to be given these papers.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/karmakritters/venomousregs.jpg

I should have thought of this before, but by doing a web search on some of the language you posted, I found the page it came from on FWC's web site.

http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/RuleRegs.html

So, the mistake was not made by your local guys, but I'm still pretty sure it's a mistake. There is nothing in the current, proposed or final rules on their site or anything on the legislative side that I can imagine being misunderstood to mean what this says.

I also didn't get a chance to call today, but I'll sure be calling Capt. West on Monday.

P.S. It also APPEARS that the effective date of the REGULATORY changes relating to venomous has been moved back from 7/1/2007 to 1/1/2008, but don't take my word for that until I get it clarified.
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.