Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been gathering information to help defend herpers rights in columbus, Ohio. In Ohio we have a herp society which really doesn't do to good of a job trying to defend anything. They are known as NOAH (Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists). Thus far I have not been too impressed with how they have handled things. County by county they are forming laws, preventing ANYONE from owning various reptiles from Ball Pythons to Crocodilians. Normally they have been caused by some moron that let their animals go because they didn't want to deal with them anymore. As im sure we ALL know, that comes back to bite the serious herpers in the a$$. The problem is that many people that own some of these animals just simply shouldn't. But there are quite a few respected individuals that take PROPER care of their animals, and keep them perfectly secured. I can understand that some people are scared of reptiles, although many of these animals are widely misunderstood. There is a guy that owns a reptile rescue here in Ohio called, ArrowHead Reptile Rescue, and the town that he is in is trying to make him close up shop, just because they are afraid of something they obviously don't know anything about. What can we do together that can help us to protect our interests and at the same time be able to keep reptiles out of the hands (atleast limit the amount) of people who will not properly care for the animals and are a threat to our interests and hobbies. I know this seems like an extremely hard task, but there has to be a way somehow that we can all get along. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. Either post them here, or feel free to send me an email. Thanks for your time.
Chris

I don't really have any ideas, but I'll start thinking. In the meantime, I live in Ohio, and I'd love to help out in any way possible. This new thing that they are doing with drilling into the turtles to tag them is hideous! All it does is kill the animal!

Stormshadow,

While I do agree with drilling through the turtles shell is hideous, pit tagging in itself is proven to not to be as bad as what it was escalated to be. There is very little information that has supported pit tagging being completely dangerous. I don't agree with some of their methods for sure. But if done properly, it will usually be just fine. I also feel that their size limits need to be increased as well. Otherwise, I am not TOTALLY against pit tagging. Although I personally feel that the over-all reasoning behind it is rather groundless. Unfortunately for Ohio's native species of reptiles and amphibians, everything from constant capture from the wild for the pet trade, to poor conservation methods demonstrated by the ODNR is going to be devestating to wild populations. They will figure it out when there seems to be a rapid decrease in wild populations. What we need is a way to also, set things straight with pet store owners. Some pet store owners to a fantastic job of limiting who they sell certain animals to, due to their size, aggression, challenge to keep in captivity, etc, etc,. Others are just out to make a quick buck. They don't care who purchases the animals, or where the animal's end up within the next year or so. These same pet store owners will also be the first ones jumping up from their seat as soon as an ordinance is set into place preventing the sale of these big money makers, and start badgering the lawmakers. Unfortunately it is a complicated situation because between trying to educate the public, trying to educate certain pet store owners, and trying to still keep our interests, and animals that we devote our lives to, things can get really messy. I am just looking for ideas. Unfortunately this is something that we all need to address before things get way too out of hand. Some of these people in this forum have devoted years of their lives to reptiles and amphibians. These same people are the people that have earned their rights to own what they would like to have. These people offer proper care to their animals and educate others with those same animals. Unfortunately if things get too deep, then even those people will not be allowed to do what they have done for years. Their liveliehoods will be taken away practically. I just don't want to see this happen. If anyone in this forum has any ideas, or has any response to this post, rather it be pro or con, I would like to hear it. I know my opinions, are just that.......my opinions. Maybe someone in here would like to shed a little light in another aspect. Once again I would appreciate anyone input.