Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm the smallest of small-time collectors with just three pythons in my collection. But, the thought of Bill HR669 passing really makes me anxious/sad/angry, and I try to imagine what it might be like not to have ANY pythons available for sale, trade, breeding and so forth. That's not just the big constrictors--we ball python collectors are subject to the ban, too. I also wonder what impact and repercussions such legislation would have on rodent distributors, pet stores, breeders, cage manufacturers, reptile shows, etc. This all just seems crazy-extreme to me.

What would be mandated to happen with the animals we all own right now. I really can't imagine parting with my pets. Given the option, I'd gladly have them all micro-chipped and even pay an annual permit fee to keep them (my state doesn't require that yet).

I'm curious to hear from you breeders or large-scale collectors out there. Does HR669 have you losing sleep right now? Really, I'm just very curious because I'm finding all of this extremely troubling, and I just don't know what to make of it. I'm not trying to start a hot political debate, but just wonder if anyone with livelihoods at stake here would be willing to comment.

Thanks for you willingness to share...

be losing sleep over this bill! It would not only ban importation (which would not seriously hurt breeders and the industry), or even interstate transport (which would seriously harm us), but also bans BREEDING itself (of all exotic species specifically singled out on a "safe" list-any bets whether there will be many herps on THAT?)!

I've read a lot of posts from herpers saying things like "this bill doesn't have a chance" or "They've been trying this kind of thing for years-don't worry..."

Well, don't you believe it. There is a new climate in Washington, and these bills have been introduced with the support of a lot of powerful congressmen/women. They mean to get this passed and signed into law this year, and I believe they will be successful. Our only hope is to get it altered into a form that doesn't completely blow us out of the water!

We need three things-First, get them to drop the "interstate transport" ban. Second, and most important-the ban on breeding MUST be removed. Thirdly-and this may or may not be possible-the bill should change from a list of "permitted" species to a list of "banned" species! As it stands, if a species is not specifically permitted, then it will be illegal to keep. That right there would probably end our hobby/industry.
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

I've been working on an idea for my local area that others could try for their regions.
This bill would effect people who would ever want to own a BP or other constrictor also. So I have been asking businesses to allow me to post flyers on the bill (a super simple document frankly outlining its objectives). I have been targeting places where "Snake Owners" might hang out. Tattoo shops, pet shops, some bars.
I know it sounds very cliche, but I have had more flyers taken from these locations than any grocery store. One tattooist friend even said someone took a flyer to make copies to distribute in *their* town. Hopefully this means the word is getting out.

i think this passing would crush the ecomnny severly someone needs to get this to obama and get him on our side. here in portland OR we have a radio station called opb its public broadcasting and they played one of his speaches on wanting to increase jobs and keep jobs well there are thousands of tiny,small,med large and super sized reptile breeders of snakes and lizards and rats and supply companys that all rely on us. you ban all pythons you cut jobs and money from thousands you then take it one step farther no pythons no need for rats and mice thats thousands of more jobs one step more rodent supplys and reptile supplys there is no way that this ban could be positive we are in a bad enough place as it is you ban them there are who knows how many people out of work out of a home i know people that rely on there snakes breeding to make a payment. its one thing to ban a retic or anaconda something that is gonna get 20 feet that some stupid person is gonna let go. that would hurt to but not as bad as banning all. they need to lookhard into this matter and get it right if they pass this un like the 4" ban on turtles this ban as far as i have heard was because some kid stuck a red eared slyder in his mouth and got sick they did not mean to include tortoses as they were not water turtles but whoever made the bill up made a mistake and included both also the 4" rule as i belive is dumb because a kid can lick a 12" turtle but what is even worse is the parent that did not watch there kid and messed it up for us all . thats my thought on this and if i knew how and i was beter at making letters and everything i would send this letter to oboma to my whoever but honestly im young i am not good at spelling and dont know who to get ahold of but if it were not for my lizards my ball pythons i would be on drugs or out racing a car down the street for fun i got my first reptiled when i was in middle school i never thought of breeding them until my bearded dragon laid eggs for me and i fell in love with them and thought hey i love these guys i am loosing money on them i bred them and paid back a little of what i spent anyway threw highschool reptiles were my life i majored in building construction for my projecks i got my teacher to alow me to change the plans so it was still a night stand but bigger and a cage yet still had all the stuff required in my project all my essays i somehow involved my reptiles in my story and all of my friends knew me for them the kids i did not know knew me as the kid with reptiles. they became a huge part of my life and kept me away from the bad kidds that tryed to offer me drugs in stead of putting money into a car i could drive fast in and look good in i spent that money on my reptiles. and i know that im not the only person out there like this yes i may be an odd one that some of you think thats a little crazy but the other half of you will think wow thats me
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reed at www.ReedsDragons.com & www.KillerEnclosures.com

"but honestly im young i am not good at spelling"

Don't ever have the mind set that age can limit you from accomplishing ANYTHING and don't ever let anyone tell you any different.

i guess im not supper young im 22 . and i have never let anyone tell me i cant do anything im horrible at the spelling thing and remembering stuff but you give me some wood ill build you anything lol i have been breeding reptiles since i was in middle school by highschool i pretty much had my own business i started working for a guy that supplied pet stores and my breeding slimed down i then quit and started doing yards and working at a pet store now i have re built some of my colection i just purchased a pallet of cypress for myself and locals that cant get it and im working twards becoming huge like ian g or brian any of them big guys i have my grand parents tellong me to get rid of my reptiles until i can afford them and others keep saying the same but i work 2 jobs put most of my money back into my reptiles and i know one day i will own my own pet store or wholesale or be a big part of this game i have alot to learn but i also have a lot of expereince with this stuuff and building and i know my time will come i mean my collection already includes ball pythons,corn snakes,frilled dragons,ausi and green water dragons,veild cham,crested,sulcattas beardeds leopards and im sure im missing something lol and i really appresheate your encuragement
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reed at www.ReedsDragons.com & www.KillerEnclosures.com