UPDATE: The first draft of the Raleigh ban has been shared (link on the USARK website). This is a blanket ban on ALL “exotic” or “wild” animals with a very broad, vague definition. Essentially, this would allow enforcement on almost any animal except fish (and even fish are not specifically excluded) and recognized “domesticated animals.” This ban is NOT limited to the animal examples listed in the draft. The definition clearly states, “including, but NOT limited to.”
The first draft would ban the keeping of any exotic or wild animal (defined as “any non-domesticated animal”) and also allows the City to seize and/or euthanize them immediately, plus enforce hefty fines including $500 per animal, City fees, etc. This could be enforced upon small constrictor snakes (ball pythons, etc.), almost all common reptile/amphibian pets, parrots, sugar gliders, etc.
Local residents must get involved ASAP and we have all details in our alert at the links below.
Website alert: ALERT: Raleigh, NC | USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers
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ALERT: North Carolina Animal Bans (state level)
Some North Carolina legislators are seeking to ban some reptiles and other “exotic” or “dangerous wild” animals. This effort is happening after an irresponsible venomous snake keeper allowed a spitting cobra to escape. This careless keeper violated current state law and now faces at least 40 charges. North Carolina herpetoculturists (not just venomous keepers) and other animal owners should contact their legislators to oppose knee-jerk legislation.
Read our full ALERT with more information, sample messaging, and more at the links below.
Website Alert: ALERT: North Carolina | USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers
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ALERT: Wake County, NC
Wake County, North Carolina may be proposing a ban on certain reptiles and exotic animals. Local residents should engage with their Board of Commissioner representatives ASAP. A county law would apply to all unincorporated areas (those living outside of city limits) of Wake County.
Website alert: ALERT: Wake County, NC | USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers
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USARK Florida Lawsuit Update from July 2
The court awarded injunctive relief but with a limited scope. Read more at USARK FL - Lawsuit Update from USARK FL Board.
Membership T-shirt Update
Thanks for your support! We just received specific updates from the shipper on July 29. They have 300 orders left to ship out from February. We thought more progress had been made but this is the latest update. We had a delay securing enough shirts for printing as supply is still low due to COVID-related issues and that put us further behind. Shirts are shipping in the order of membership registration date.
There was a disclaimer when you registered at the top of the page that shirts may take 6-8 weeks to arrive and we realize some members have already waited much longer. Our new system will get shirts out much faster after we are done playing catch-up. Our apologies again for the delay but we are working to get all shirts out and to avoid this problem in the future. Have a good day.
ALERT: North Carolina “traveling animal act” ban
House Bill 594 (H594) is another “traveling animal act” ban that misleads as to its intention. This bill, titled “Traveling Animal and Public Safety Protection Act,” includes an introduction rife with misinformation with the intent to spark emotion from the reader.
H594 prohibits using certain animals (list at the link and even includes tortoises and small monitors) in “traveling animal acts,” which will include the educational outreach programs provided by many animal keepers. The punishment is a Class II misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
PLEASE READ THE LAST SENTENCE AGAIN! With all of the problems in our world, we actually have to fight a bill that could land you in jail for 60 days because you took a tortoise to a classroom to talk about reptiles.
Full details at the links below.
Website ALERT: ALERT: North Carolina animal program ban | USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers
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Shipping Live Herps Responsibly and Ethically
Animal welfare is both a priority and a special concern when shipping live reptiles and amphibians. When conditions around shipping pose a hazard that cannot be otherwise mitigated, reptiles should not be shipped.
Read our full statement at Shipping Live Herps Responsibly and Ethically | USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers.
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Find A Vet
Need a good herp veterinarian? The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) can help. ARAV provides a free Find-A-Vet service at Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians.