Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This all-encompassing bill includes herps (see definition of Companion Animal) . Read and Weep, then raise hell.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?051 ful HB2927
Virginia's new AR bill.

>>This all-encompassing bill includes herps (see definition of Companion Animal) . Read and Weep, then raise hell.
>>
>>http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?051 ful HB2927
>>Virginia's new AR bill.

Ok...so, someone needs to clarify some of this for me. Reenacting meaning that at some point it was revoked or null? Next, does someone that breeds &sells a native species considered a "dealer" and have to get that license plus the business license in order to sell and advertise in addition to the native species license (which allows you to breed/sell native herps) or would the native species license be null and replaced? I hate all this legal **** (insert own creative 4 letter word). I'm just curious because I'll be moving back home to VA after college (in PA) and will have more than 5 cornsnakes (native species for which I'd have to have the buy/breed/sell license which is like $10) by that time and will hopefully be breeding. Ok I'm done rambling. Just let me know who I need to talk to.

~Katie
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2.1 Cornsnakes (Slink, Shadow, Suzie)
0.3 Leopard Geckos (Cutie, Lily, and Miss Piggy)
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Sam)
0.2 Pac Man Frogs (Gordito and Spud)
1.2 Suriname Toad (Squishy & the Squishettes)
0.0.2 Giant Millipede (Mega & Mila)
0.0.1 Green Iguana (Iggy)
lots of snails and fish...

I don't think you can breed native species in VA. As far as I've known, there were no provisions in VA for keeping more than 5 individuals of any given native species. Where are you getting your info on permits?

In MD you can have more than four of any given native snake species (not endangered) provided you have proof that other than four were either from out-of-state/purchased, or were captive bred. And you can get a $25 annual permit from DNR to breed native snakes.

Katrina

>>I don't think you can breed native species in VA. As far as I've known, there were no provisions in VA for keeping more than 5 individuals of any given native species. Where are you getting your info on permits?
>>
>>In MD you can have more than four of any given native snake species (not endangered) provided you have proof that other than four were either from out-of-state/purchased, or were captive bred. And you can get a $25 annual permit from DNR to breed native snakes.
>>
>>Katrina

I read somewhere that you can only own 5 WC native species. As long as they are from out of state or CB (with proof of being CB) you can breed and sell. I bookmarked it but had to redo my computer so I lost the bookmark. I'll keep searching for the page again and post it.
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2.1 Cornsnakes (Slink, Shadow, Suzie)
0.3 Leopard Geckos (Cutie, Lily, and Miss Piggy)
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Sam)
0.2 Pac Man Frogs (Gordito and Spud)
1.2 Suriname Toad (Squishy & the Squishettes)
0.0.2 Giant Millipede (Mega & Mila)
0.0.1 Green Iguana (Iggy)
lots of snails and fish...

I found one of the places it says it...under the VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) the "For Educators" it says:

The Game Department is now issuing permits to licensed pet stores and captive breeders for them to sell three species of captive-bred snakes (4 VAC 15-360-50): eastern kingsnake, mole kingsnake, and corn snake. No other snakes native to Virginia can be bought or sold in Virginia, and there are size limits as to what can be sold.

To me that reads that if you are a breeder you can get a permit to breed and sell as long as they are all captive bred. I'm going to write and double check though.

~Katie

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2.1 Cornsnakes (Slink, Shadow, Suzie)
0.3 Leopard Geckos (Cutie, Lily, and Miss Piggy)
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Sam)
0.2 Pac Man Frogs (Gordito and Spud)
1.2 Suriname Toad (Squishy & the Squishettes)
0.0.2 Giant Millipede (Mega & Mila)
0.0.1 Green Iguana (Iggy)
lots of snails and fish...

Hmm, might be a new reg. Too bad they don't do that for other reptiles.

Katrina

So, basically, if you are a private person that loves your pancake tortoises and you get them to breed (or your pet hamster accidentally has a litter because the kid at Petco couldn't tell what a male and female looked like and kept them in the same cage at the store), and want to advertise your new additions for sale or trade, you would have to get a business permit ($150) for that privilage.

Happy Writing to your state senator. ACT FAST! VA has one of the shortest General Assembly sessions of any state.

I like the idea of reptiles being companion animals (helps to keep them and helps when they are being abused), but this bill is bad news.

Katrina

"Companion animal" means any domestic or feral dog, domestic or feral cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit not raised for human food or fiber, exotic or native animal, reptile, exotic or native bird, or any feral animal or any animal under the care, custody, or ownership of a person or any animal that is bought, sold, traded, or bartered by any person. Agricultural animals, game species, or any animals regulated under federal law as research animals shall not be considered companion animals for the purposes of this chapter.

"Dealer" means any person who in the regular course of business for compensation or profit buys, sells, transfers, exchanges, or barters companion animals. The following shall not be considered dealers: (i) any person who transports companion animals in the regular course of business as a common carrier, or (ii) any person or organization whose primary purpose is to find permanent adoptive homes for companion animals.

"Releasing agency" means a pound, animal shelter, humane society, animal welfare organization, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or other similar entity or home-based rescue, that releases companion animals for adoption. The term also includes any dealer, pet store, and for-profit breeder.

A. No dealer shall sell or advertise for sale any companion animal in Virginia without a valid dealer business license issued pursuant to ordinances adopted by the locality.

B. An annual business license and fee shall be required for each dealer that sells or advertises for sale any companion animal in Virginia unless otherwise exempt pursuant to the provisions of this section.

C. An application for a dealer business license shall be submitted in such manner and form as prescribed by the locality.

D. The cost of a dealer business license shall be $150 per year.

E. Any dealer who fraudulently claims to be exempt from this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.

§ 3.1-796.78:2. Dealer business license required to advertise.
Any dealer who advertises companion animals for sale in a newspaper shall provide his business license number to the newspaper and a copy of his business license to any new owner to whom he sells a companion animal. Any new owner who fails to obtain a copy of the dealer's business license is subject to a civil penalty of $150.

This bill will be hear THURSDAY the 27th! Hearings start at 7AM and end by 7:30AM

The hearings are at the General Assembly Building in Richmond, 9th and Broad, and meet on the 4th floor.

BILLS THAT DO NOT GET PASSED TOMORROW ARE DEAD.

Think of what you might say to defeat the bill, but due to time constraints, there will be limited testimony. Even so, just being there can make a difference. Standing up to ID yourself as opposed to a bill can help legislators in a head count, when they have hundreds or even thousands of bills to decide upon in one month!

If you can, CALL your legislator TODAY to oppose those bills with which you disagree.

The House Agricultural subcommittee is hearing animal bills. They are to be heard heard between 7 and 7:30 am on Thursday, 1/27, in the following order:

HB 1884 (license fee caps) (doesn't affect herps)

HB 2846 (outlaw gas chambers)

HB 2859 (pet shops; patroned by Del. Chap Petersen)

HB 2927 (releasing agency; patroned by Del. Terry Kilgore)

HJR 768 (spay/neuter bill)

Delegate Kilgore's Legislative Assistant states the anti-breeding bill HB 2927 was been WITHDRAWN this morning.
NO MORE EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS TO DEL. KILGORE'S
OFFICE ARE NEEDED OR APPROPRIATE. I believe the only bill that survived was HB 1884.