Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone, I'd like to write some emails to see if I can find an advocate for us in the media. I was hoping you all could assist me in finding the hard data to help me write my call for help in our cause. It seems like most of the politicians we've been asking for help are either set in their belief that reptiles should be banned, or they're ignorant and don't care. If we could find the right representative in the media, it has the potential to tip things in our favor. Some of the points I'd like to touch on are:

-Deforestation/pollution, and how private breeders ensure the survival of threatened species even though the natural habitat is declining.

-Economic impact of a ban on reptiles. I'd like to cite how much money reptile, feeder, and supply sales bring into our economy.

-I'd like to show that although reptile keepers are less common than dog/cat owners, we love our pets just as much and the majority of us are responsible and humane caretakers.

-Although snake attacks are sensationalized in the media, they are extraordinarily uncommon, especially compared to the number of injuries caused by traditional pets or livestock.

-The USGS report and other faulty research claiming giant snakes are going to overrun all of north America are inaccurate, and blow the problem of escaped/released snakes way out of proportion.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to write a concise letter with links to all the hard data. I'll send it to people that could be sympathetic to our goal of maintaining the ability to own and breed our unique and exotic pets.

Paul D

Is putting it LIGHTLY.

You are more likely to be hit by pieces of a falling satellite
and THEN struck by lightning than be killed by a boa constrictor.

This is not a discussion between reasonable, intelligent, fair and unbiased parties. This should be painfully obvious.

This is about conformity and re-election votes.

I think someone should look into that whole rating process that
gets done on politicians regarding animal rights.

There is an organization that hands out report-card like, grades
on politicians and their track record on animal rights.

Most of those ambiguous, generic letters and E-mails that were
being sent back as replies mentioned this.

Who is the organisation, who runs it, who pays for it and what
criteria is used to come up with those 'grades'?

We could come up with a poster or webpage with names, faces
and our grades.

We could likewise have a counter to display the amount of
discontented voters in each of their respective voting districts.

The bottom line here is that they want to take away our rights,
our freedoms to keep harmless reptiles, and more importantly
their only solution is to kill hundreds of thousands of captive
reptiles.

They not only want to take away our freedoms but they also want
to kill these incredibly interesting & completely innocent
reptiles. This is their solution.

Hi.

You might also want to ask this question on the KS Burmese Python Forum. They had a guy from Fish & Wildlife there plus a others with solid, current information.

Bill

Hi Bill,

I know exactly who you're talking about. I've been going back through the forums, and Mike Rochford seems like a very fair and intelligent person. I'd love any feedback he has on this issue. So far I've put my post in the Boa Forum, Burmese Python Forum, and the Rainbow Forum. I'm about to add it to the General Snake Forum also.

I'm trying to find the most current and accurate information. If we can put the true story about reptile keeping into the right hands, maybe we can stop these unreasonable laws from passing.

Paul D

P.S. Another point I'd like to touch on in my letter is about the education programs that bring exotic animals into schools. Educating young children about endangered animals is essential to keeping the lessons of environmental responsibility alive. I can't think of a better way to inspire respect of nature in our youth than by allowing them to see beautiful and remarkable looking animals in person.

http://www.vpi.com/

The bottom right has links to recent publications by Dave & Tracy Barker. Very informative.

B.

Thanks Bill, that link will be helpful. I like being able back up my views with facts. The only way we're going to get to keep our snakes is through logic and reason. Most people can't understand why anyone would want to own a pet snake. We have to be able to convey the rewards of caring for exotic pets. I don't expect most people to share our passion, but they could learn to respect our decision to own reptiles.

Paul D