Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Many of you know that USARK attended a meeting at Senator Bill Nelson's office in West Palm Beach last Friday to discuss S373 "The Python Ban". The USARK delegation was led by Andrew Wyatt and consisted of Captain Ernie Jillson, Miami-Dade Fire & Rescue (MDFR) Venom Response Unit (Venom One), Captain Chuck Siefert, MDFR Venom One, Shawn Heflick and Greg Graziani. Wyatt said "The meeting went about as good as we could have hoped for. They heard our message and it was well received."

The USARK message was one of respect and cooperation for Senator Nelson's position on the protection of the Everglades. A willingness by Senator Nelson's office to work with USARK and Protect the Reptile Community was given in return. USARK will work with Senator Nelson's office during the August recess to craft language that will serve the Senators goals, as well as protect the trade in ALL pythons. We would like to thank Senator Nelson and his Chief of Staff for holding this meeting in good faith with USARK's Florida herpers.

It is not a secret that there are ideologically driven Animal Rights (AR) groups that would like to use S373 as a tool to enforce their long held goal of ending the ownership and trade in reptiles. But, again they have no credible science or facts to back their assertions; only emotionally charged rhetoric and sensationalism. They will try to turn this discussion into a circus. They are extremely well funded and have a loud voice. It will be our challenge to stick with facts and logic and not be bated by their blatant mischaracterizations.

We MUST raise enough money to stay in this fight and see it through. We have come too far to fail now because we can't raise enough money to play this high stakes game. We need the Reptile Nation to rise up and support us the way the AR folks support their organizations. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we have not made it yet. If USARK had stayed on the sidelines, the game would be over and "The Python Ban" would be waiting for a signature from President Obama. Help us get through this legislative session. What we have accomplished against huge odds is amazing, but we still need to see it through.

Click here to donate $10 with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med
usark.org/donate.php

Click here to Join The Reptile Nation with dollar for dollar matching from Zoo Med
www.usark.org/join.php

Send questions to president@usark.org

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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

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Joel Thomas

Don't tread on me!

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Joel Thomas

Don't tread on me!

Yes it is. We are not a charity. We are a trade organization... 501c6. Talk to your tax professional as to the particulars... bottom line is yes.
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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

I want to suggest somethign that i think will work for everyone make it easy to contribute. ive asked my website designer/creator to incorporate 2 things on the check out for my paypal check out basket, and this is to have a donation area where a buyer can check and make a donation to USARK in 1, 5, 10 dollar multiples as they're paying for theyre herp purchase. He is next going to approach and ask USARK how they want these funds forwarded as i want these funds to go directly from paypal to USARK and avoid the accounting hastle. Furthermore i want to begin making a portion of my sales a contribution to USARK, not a fortune but 2-5% enough to add up over the course of the year. It will help our cause, serve as a write off and make me feel warm and fuzzy too =). i think its advantages when a person is ready to execute a sale to take advantage and kill 2 birds with 1 stone and make a contribution. furthermore, lets all remember that if we dont stick together and fight, there wont be many of these transactions in a far too long time. Im not goodie-two-shoes, far from it im a fight for your rights kinda guy, dont want to a blow hard either. but Ive been in industries destroyed by others and do not want my favorite hobby to get destroyed by people that dont know enough to make that decision. if breeders and people with websites or even just paypals can later put this to operate with their paypal check-outs, i dont think USARK will have a funding issue.

That's a great idea! I hope USARK picks up on this idea and figures out a way to link paypal for any breeder that wants to help.
John Manser

We think this is a great idea and are working on getting a usark button anyone can put on their site. Contact Ralph Davis for more info!
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Andrew Wyatt
President USARK

I am glad to see that we have people who care and take the time to fight for our rights! Besides being a reptile enthusiat, I am also a PitBull hobby breeder. Pitbull breeders and owners have been under attack by HSUS, PETA, and The Animal Rights movement for decades. Because of these groups this breed is banned in many counties around the country. Breeders are being persecuted for bogus dog fighting allegations and all there animals are being exterminated at an alarming rate!. Now our reptiles are under attack! The animal rights movement is taking advantage of the sensational python news stories to make there move!we need to stand up and voice our position to city officials! Please get involved and join the cause before its too late. The Animal Rights movement will not stop until they abolish all ownership of animals!