S.373 has been heavy on all of our minds, I have taken a short breather and I am encouraging a "think tank" to help us regroup and define a plan for action, please contribute.
My plans so far:
1) We need to stand together first and foremost....no throwing anything under the bus! There may not be anything we can do to prevent certain things that may restrict our fellow keepers but we need to damn sure stand with them!!
2) Contact everyone we know that lives in Florida(friends, relatives...anyone) and explain our posistion and ask for them to contact the senators to voice their concerns, I would suggest that we have some letters drafted and a scripted address (simple) for our non-herpers.
3) Educate ourselves about H.S.U.S. This organization does not house or take care of any animals anywhere, they chose that name to filter off donations from people who think they are donating to a shelter or to a just cause...Should be fraud! the monies donated to them are used to buy political favors...... KNOW OUR ENEMY.
4) I plan on quadrupling my phone calls and my letters on this one, I will be contacting all my friends and family and even my co-workers to ask for their signatures and possibly their time to make phone calls.
5) Find out specifically the name of the aide that has been assigned to gather information regarding this bill from everyone of the senators. Now we will have someone closely tied to this issue to voice our concerns to....not just a temporary hired in for the week.
6) I think this one could be very important and was missed the last time we did our letter campaign. Contact rodent breeders, cage manufactures, shipping services, bedding suppliers and anyone we can think of that is related to our hobby. I am sure these companies will understand that they are directly affected by our success or failure, I think they will be more than willing to voice their opinions.
7) I know I am frustrated as hell but we must keep our composure and be polite, please leave emotions behind when talking to these aides of our representatives, I always ask the name of the person that I am speaking with even if I heard it upon them aswering I then repeat the name as if I am writing it down....I think this makes it seem that you mean business in a polite subconcious sort of way.
8) Please consider donating to USARK even if you do not wish to become a member....it is a tax write off as well....any amount will be greatly appreciated.
These are just some of the things I think we need to look at doing, I would love input from all of you to help me find more ways of devising a plan for this battle.
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Joel Thomas
Don't tread on me!
