Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Puppies, kittens and other live animals could not be sold at flea markets or swap meets under legislation proposed this week by a Sacramento legislator.

Assemblyman Roger Dickinson's measure, Assembly Bill 339, would make first offenses an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $250. If an animal suffers or is injured, however, the charge can be hiked to a misdemeanor and the fine to $1,000.

Dickinson, D-Sacramento, said that puppies, kittens, baby rabbits, turtles, exotic birds, reptiles and birds commonly are sold at swap meets and flea markets, often in close proximity and sometimes in crowded pens lacking adequate food or water.

AB 339 would "alleviate the suffering of these animals, ensure that public health and safety is protected, and safeguard consumers," Dickinson said in a written statement.

California law currently bans the sale of live animals on streets, highways, parking lots, carnivals and boardwalks.

Eight local governments in California have passed ordinances banning or limiting animal sales at swap meets, Dickinson said.
blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/02/ban-on-flea-market-animal-sales-proposed-by-california-lawmaker.html

If we as reptile keepers and breeders can organize our reptile expos as "competitive show events" that judge our animals (the same way that cats and dogs are judged at their shows) we would be exempt from this ban if it passes.
The only problem is that the text of the ban only specifies dog, cat and bird shows; technically this could be considered discrimination against reptile keepers as a minority group and might be used as leverage to keep reptile expos going through an exemption from the ban
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A lot of California reptile breeders depend on these expos to sell their babies. This would hurt many businesses or drive them underground where they do not put tax money into the state anymore, not to mention that it would put the show organizers out of business altogether.
that's just my thoughts on this.