Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Folks,

There is a dangerous bill being presented in the VA assembly next month. This bill, supported by someone with major ties to PETA and HSUS, will REQUIRE that all companion animals be spayed or neutered. In Virginia, the definition for companion animals includes reptiles!! Breeders, of course, will be "licensed" in order to be excluded... Now how many of you breeders want to pay for the privilege of being on the state's record books as breeding? Using the Freedom of Information Act, then, groups like PETA and HSUS can then show up at your doorstep to protest, if you tick them off.

While I fully support the spay/neuter movement for our furry companions, I do NOT support anyone being able to tell us that none of us are competent enough to decide when to care for our animals. (That being said, I do realize that many people aren't competent, but that's another fight for another time...)

Even if re-worded to exclude reptiles, that still means that every dog, cat, bird, ferret, rabbit, etc. would be required to be altered. With the financial state of the Commonwealth, can you imagine who will be enforcing this? Those already overworked ACOs, etc. That sets the stage then for next year (or the year after) for PETA or HSUS to "offer" to pay for their own employees to be monitors, then to eventually bump them up to police powers, such as what is seen in other states...

Do we really want those with a publicly advertised anti-reptile, anti-all pets agenda having the power to inspect our homes?

This is important, folks... this is a well-funded attack on our rights as citizens. We need to ALL contact our state Senators and Representatives and explain to them why this is a BAD idea. Don't expect a lot of positive support, as this is one of those bills that is being touted as "animal friendly" - as in, "this bill is the panacea to making sure that no animal is euthanized in VA ever again". That's how this is being marketed to the GA, and I'm serious... CALL OR WRITE THEM NOW!!!

http://legis.state.va.us/Senate/Senators.htm
http://legis.state.va.us/House/Delegates.htm

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Bonnie Keller
VA Reptile Rescue
www.vareptilerescue.org

Bonnie,

Does this bill actually have a sponsor or is it a concept?

I am told by my delegate's aid that the HSUS and PETA always court representatives to sponsor their adenda but have been having a rough time.

I am also told that this bill will never pass in VA, but for pete's sake write or better yet, walk into your delegates office to meet the aid (the aid usually knows more and you need to be on first name basis with this person).

get involved. Find out the facts and work towards improving your own stand.

Last year I not only went to meet my Senator, I met with several others. As you know I was one of exactly FIVE people that showed up to the committee meeting to speak about the anti-rescuers bill... And I'm ready to go back to committee to speak in person again.

I know that we herpers tend to be reclusive as a group, but we MUST start making our presence better known!! We need to be proactive and confront our elected officials with the truth about our animals - don't let the myths stand!! Of course, it helps if you don't perpetuate the stereotype of a reptile owner... That's one reason people are so surprised when they see me as a herper - they say I look so "normal".. Hmmmmm....

--Bonnie

I also have a bill in VA this year. It will have a House Bill number very soon. It is to ban carnivals from giving iguanas, turtles, anoles, rabbits as prizes. Now is a good time to intoduce yourself as a reptile owner who is repsonible. The existing law only refers to fowl under 7 weeks. Please support VA in elevating reptiles above disposible prizes. It is important that the law makers hear from responsible owners.

Summary

Animals as prizes; penalty. Prohibits using animals as prizes, with an exception for livestock used in cooperative extension educational programs that are in compliance with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services standards. Violation of this section is punishable as a class 3 misdemeanor.

House Bill No._________

A bill to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 3.1-796.70:1, relating to animals as prizes.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 3.1-796.70:1 as follows:

3.1-796.70:1 Animals as prizes prohibited; penalty.
A. Notwithstanding the provisions of 3.1-796.70, no person shall raffle, give as a prizes, premium, or advertising device, award or offer as an inducement to enter into any business transaction, game, contest, competition or amusement any live animal, fowl, or fish. Only livestock used in cooperative extension educational programs that are in compliance with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services standards shall be exempt from this section.
B. Any violation of this section is punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

np

The word straight from the senator's aid was that he intended a sponsor a study on over population of companion animals. If this is similar to the one NC has, The API will have people writing letters to ban all exotic animals and PETA will be there with power point slides, so...someone besides Bonnie, Debbie and I needs to actually show up for a meeting.

ersonal interests. I believe I had you mistaken for Deb, Again, I apologize.

Bonnie,

You should probably post this on the bird lists, too. I'm sure it must be hard to castrate a parakeet!

Katrina

Before causing mass hysteria, we need to see the new version. What was posted on the East Coast rescue list is much watered down and doesn't appear to say companion animals any more.

Cindy

np

Maybe these laws are a good thing, especially when I get responses from fellow herpers that I am at fault for purchasing herps on Kingsnake and getting a bad deal. Comments such as "buyer beware" and "thats what you get for buying on the net" are not from concerned people but from people who lack responsibility and do not know how to convey the message that this is a hobby run by legitimate and responsible people. Good luck. You will need it. As for me, I say herpers beware, your hobby will be lucky to remain unregulated if these are the type of people who support it. MUUP